NTER-AMERICAN DIVISION

GENERAL CONFERENCE OF

SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS

TELEPHONE (305) 443-7471 - CABLE "ADVENTIST" MIAMI



Office of the President

July 22, 1974

Dear Fellow Believers Around the World:

Inter-America has grown to be the second largest division in the world

church. During the last ten years the membership has more than

doubled--an increase of 129 percent--or a membership of about 430,000.

The churches are literally bursting at the seams. An ever-increasing

number of young people, comprising more than half the church member-

ship, are knocking at the doors of our church schools, day and board-

ing academies and colleges. Administrators are straining every nerve

and stretching every dollar, trying to open the way for this new genera-

tion and to prepare them for future responsibilities in the church. But

because the financial resources of the church do not keep pace with the

growth of the membership and the need for new facilities, Inter-America

is looking forward to the generous offering of our faithful Sabbath

school members around the world, to help meet its most pressing needs.

This Thirteenth Sabbath, Caribbean Union College, located near Port-of-

Spain, Trinidad, which suffered from two fires in 1973, is at the top of

the list to benefit from your liberal offering, along with Andrews

Memorial Hospital in Kingston, Jamaica, the oldest hospital in Inter-

America.

When Andrews Memorial Hospital was first built, the work was small, but

over the years it has helped to create a favorable climate for the preach-

ing of the gospel. Today, Seventh-day Adventists are well respected

there for what they do as well as for what they believe. This institu-

tion has exerted a tremendous influence in Jamaica far in excess of its

size, but the time has come to expand before it becomes outdated.

We are very grateful for your contributions in the past, and we are con-

fident that our brothers and sisters around the world will respond

sacrificially during this Thirteenth Sabbath in answer to our urgent call.

Yours for a liberal Thirteenth Sabbath Overflow,

1.4 •

President

Inter-American Division

BLA:r

0 PONCE DE LEON BOULEVARD • P.O. BOX 340760 • CORAL GABLES • FLORIDA • 33134

Daybreak

Adult Sabbath School Lessons

No. 321, July-September, 1975

Lesson Author



Herbert E. Douglass

Editor



W. Richard Lesher

Editorial Secretary

Florence Wetmore

Circulation Manager



A. R. Mazat

The Adult Sabbath School

Lessons are prepared by the

Sabbath School Department

of the General Conference of

Seventh-day Adventists. The

preparation of the lessons is

under the general direction of

a worldwide Sabbath School

Lesson Committee, the members

of which serve as consulting

editors.

Editorial Office:

6840 Eastern Ave., N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20012

Lesson Titles for the Quarter

Introducing Two Young Men

How to Keep the Faith

of Faith

Making Character a Credit to

The Purpose of Theology

Doctrine

The Christian's Weapons

The Fruitage of Grace

Credentials for Church

10.

Guarding the Truth

Leadership

11.

Portrait of Men and Women

Preparation for Model Leaders

of Faith

Responsibilities of the Church

12.

Avoiding a Counterfeit Faith

Toward Its Members

13.

Faith Faces Death

Cover and all photographs by Concerned Communications

Adult Sabbath School Lesson (standard edition), No. 321, July-September,

1975. Single copy, 40 cents; four issues (1 year), $1.50; no additional charge

to countries requiring extra postage. Published in the U.S.A., by Pacific Press

Publishing Association (a corporation of S.D.A.), 1350 Villa Street, Mountain

View, California 94042. Second-class mail privileges authorized at Mountain

View, California. Form 3579 requested. When a change of address is desired,

please be sure to send both old and new addresses.

1—A.Q. 3-75

"As a means of intellectual training,

the opportunities of the Sabbath are

invaluable. Let the Sabbath-school les-

son be learned, not by a hasty glance

at the lesson scripture on Sabbath

morning, but by careful study for the

next week on Sabbath afternoon, with

daily review or illustration during the

week. Thus the lesson will become

fixed in the memory, a treasure never

to be wholly lost."

—"Education," pages 251, 252.

I pledge myself to the careful and prayerful study of

some portion of my Sabbath School lesson each day

of the week.

(signed)

The regular Adult Sabbath School Lessons are available free each

month in Braille and 16

rpm records to blind and physically

handicapped persons who cannot read normal inkprint. This in-

cludes individuals who because of arthritis, multiple sclerosis,

paralysis, accidents, old age, and so forth, cannot hold or focus on

normal inkprint publications. Contact the Christian Record Braille

Foundation, Box 6097, Lincoln, Nebraska 68506.

FAITH IN ACTION

Introduction

The letters known as First and Second Timothy and Titus are among the few

examples in the New Testament which describe how one generation passes on

the Christian witness to the next. Other New Testament writings, such as the

letters to the Romans or to the Galatians, emphasize the content of Christian

theology and its ethical applications. Rare, however, is the occasion in the Bible

where the nature and problems of evangelical communication are elaborated.

Christianity is more than mental belief in unique theological doctrines; Chris-

tianity is a new way of life that has been made possible by the personal interven-

tion of God Himself into the affairs of men and women.

But who would believe such an unthinkable thought? Only those who had

personally met such a Person and discovered that everything He said about

man's problems, his hopes and fears and weaknesses, was true. More than that,

such people would also discover that His solutions to these fears and weak-

nesses really worked and that Jesus, in fact, had the truth and everything He

said rang true. Wherever His words were relayed, from person to person, from

country to country, the same human discoveries were made. Jesus spoke the

truth about life, His solutions worked, lives were changed, the awareness of

more than human help was evident.

But Jesus met relatively few people in Palestine during His short ministry, and

fewer yet of this circle actually discovered that He was worth trusting and obey-

ing. But those who made the discovery passed it on. They were concerned that

the facts concerning Jesus, who He was, what He said, how He lived, be kept

free from addition or subtraction. Though Jesus was no longer on earth, His

story leaped from continent to continent. The credibility of the good news rested,

not primarily in the strange message His followers proclaimed but in their own

personal witness of what this message had done for them. A new life-style was

born. Love as never before imagined now motivated whole communities of

believers. The impact was unavoidable. It forced a response. As their Lord

predicted, the life of love became a rebuke and a judgment to those who were

settled into their self-indulging, self-justifying ways. Alienation, ridicule, and

finally physical harm became the common lot of Christians. How could they

survive such unfair treatment? Those who did had learned that their Lord was

close by, always providing the strength needed to bear any hardship.

What we have just described is the life of faith doing what comes naturally

for those who have learned the peace that comes from trusting and obeying their

Lord Jesus. Such living, dynamic faith has never been needed more than it is

today. The study of the letters to Timothy and Titus has never been more

timely. We are living at a time when the work so nobly begun by Paul and his

colleagues should be completed. The coming of their Lord to earth in great

glory that they preached so convincingly is long overdue. The solution to the

urgent problems of an unfinished task and of a delayed advent may be seen in

the passionate concern for authentic evangelism which permeates these three

letters which will be the source of our study during this quarter.

Before beginning the verse-by-verse study of each book it would greatly

assist the student in understanding the book's message if he would read the

whole book through once, or several times, at one sitting.

1—A.Q.

3-75

LC3JUIN I



dune

JUIY

INTRODUCING

TWO YOUNG

OF FAITH-

"I am reminded of your sincere

faith, a faith that dwelt first in your

grandmother Lois and your mother

Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells

in you." 2 Tim. 1:5, RSV.

"To Titus, mine own son'after the

common faith." Titus 1:4.

Since sin entered the human fam-

ily, faith has not been a natural

human trait. A sinner is self-cen-

tered and determined to make him-

self lord of his own life. Faith, how-

ever, is the opposite of sin and self-

centeredness. When a man of faith

makes Jesus Lord of his life, he

gladly places his thoughts, feelings,

and desires under the will of His

Lord. He lets his Lord do for him

what he could never do for himself.

He listens carefully for daily in-

structions. He says Yes to whatever

God wants him to do. He knows that

his Lord desires only the best for

him and in that knowledge he finds

peace, inner strength to meet life's

problems, and a restful look into the

future.

Some may want to describe this

relationship as trust or confidence.

And they would be correct. Trust

and faith are two equally acceptable

English words for the Greek word

pistis.

A man of faith cheerfully

obeys God because He trusts God.

A man of faith is a man of action

because faith always leads the be-

liever to be concerned about living

as Jesus would live.

In young Timothy and Titus we

find a pattern of faith that all, young

and old, can safely emulate today.

It was not easy 2,000 years ago to

call Jesus Lord when such commit-

ment led not only to ridicule but

also to physical danger. Neverthe-

less, in spite of peril on all sides,

these two young men provided the

human support that Paul, Christian-

ity's greatest man of faith, needed

as he planted the seeds of faith

across two continents. Eventually

Paul came to the place when he

could die, confident that the flicker-

ing lamp of faith would continue to

burn brightly in the lives of second

generation Christians such as his two

younger colleagues. They proved

that genuine faith could bridge the

generation gap and keep the mean-

ing of Christianity alive though its

pioneers would die.

LESSON OUTLINE

Timothy Meets Paul, Acts 14:19,

20; 16:1a

Timothy's Family Life, Acts

16:1b; 2 Tim. 1:5

Timothy's Character, Acts 16:2

A Snapshot of Timothy, 1 Tim.

4:12

Paul's Co-worker, 2 Tim. 3:10,11

Titus, the Other Son, Titus 1:4

Introducing Two Young Men of Faith

LESSON 1



❑

Sunday

June



Part 1



Under what conditions did Timothy first meet Paul?



TIMOTHY



"But Jews came there [to Lystral from Antioch and Ica-

MEETS PAUL

nium; and having persuaded the people, they stoned Paul

and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.

But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and

entered the city; and on the next day he went on with Barna-

bas to Derbe." Acts 14:19, 20, RSV.

"And he came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was

there, named Timothy." Acts 16:1a, RSV.

Timothy, a Lystran, probably saw Paul mercilessly stoned

and dragged through the streets of Lystra during Paul's first

missionary journey. Yet, young Timothy did not flinch before

his neighbors while he took his position beside the bloody body

of his spiritual hero. Paul's miraculous recovery coupled with

his forgiving spirit gave authenticity to the amazing message

that he had been proclaiming.

During the approximately three years between Paul's first

and second visit to Lystra, the meaning of Christian faith be-

came a matter of personal experience for Timothy. He had

come to know the Lord that Paul had proclaimed. Paul left no

New Testament book for Timothy to read, for none had been

written. Timothy based his faith on the Old Testament and the

personal witness of an itinerant preacher who taught that God

had become man in Jesus Christ,

and

that this Jesus is alive

forevermore to restore power and dignity to all men through

His Holy Spirit.

THINK IT THROUGH



What is the real basis for Christian faith? On what does

Christian faith build today?

"Our confession of His faithfulness is Heaven's chosen

agency for revealing Christ to the world. We are to acknowledge

His grace as made known through the holy men of old; but that

which will be most effectual is the testimony of our own expe-

rience. We are witnesses for God as we reveal in ourselves

the working of a power that is divine. Every individual has a

life distinct from all others, and an experience differing essen-

tially from theirs. God desires that our praise shall ascend to

Him, marked by our own individuality. These precious acknowl-

edgements to the praise of the glory of His grace, when sup-

ported by a Christlike life, have an irresistible power that works

for the salvation of souls."—The

Desire of Ages,

page 347.

Timothy's faith was not the result of philosophical logic or

scientific evidence; he heard the voice of God talking to him

through Paul's witness of faith. Timothy responded to Paul and

through Paul to Jesus, just as Paul himself had earlier re-

sponded to Jesus.



FURTHER STUDY



Christ's Object Lessons, "The

Lord's Vineyard," pages 296-

299.

Introducing Two Young Men of Faith

LESSON 1



❑

Monday

June 30

Part 2

TIMOTHY'S

FAMILY LIFE

What divisions seemed likely in Timothy's home?

"A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish

woman who was a believer; but his father was a Greek."

Acts 16:1 b, RSV.

"I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt

first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and

now, I am sure, dwells in you." 2 Tim. 1:5, RSV.

Timothy grew up in a divided home. We do not know if his

father ever became a Christian. We can surmise that family

peace was not complete even under the best of conditions as

long as Timothy's mother worshiped the crucified Jesus of the

Jews and his father, through Greek eyes, saw the whole story

as foolishness. "For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks

seek after wisdom: but we preach Christ crucified, unto the

Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness."

1 Cor. 1:22, 23.

Timothy's experience gives hope and courage to all who find

themselves in a divided home—whether the Christian be a

parent or a child. Much credit must be given to godly Lois

and Eunice. They knew how to keep Jesus before Timothy as

a child and later as a teen-ager so that He was loved and not

resented.

What can young parents today learn from Timothy's home

life? 2 Tim. 3:15.

THINK IT THROUGH



What relationship do you

see

between a Bible-centered

home and a faithful teen-ager? Is there always a direct

cause and effect? Why? Is the Bible enough?

"From a child he had known the Scriptures. The piety that

he saw in his home life was sound and sensible. The faith of

his mother and his grandmother in the sacred oracles was to

him a constant reminder of the blessing in doing God's will.

The word of God was the rule by which these two godly women

had guided Timothy. The spiritual power of the lessons that

he had received from them kept him pure in speech and un-

sullied by the evil influences with which he was surrounded.

Thus his home instructors had co-operated with God in pre-

paring him to bear burdens."—The

Acts of the Apostles,

page

203.

FURTHER STUDY



Child Guidance,

pages 38-44.

Introducing Two Young Men of Faith

LESSON 1



❑

Tuesday

July 1



Part 3



What can be said about Timothy's reputation?

TIMOTHY'S



CHARACTER



"He [Timothy] was well spoken of by the brethren at

Lystra and Iconium." Acts 16:2, RSV.

Paul's second missionary journey convinced him that the

gospel was winning the hearts of men and women wherever it

was preached. The need for trained workers who would nur-

ture the growing groups that Paul would leave behind became

one of the veteran apostle's chief concerns. Strong pastoral

leadership was needed as well as more evangelistic teams.

On Paul's second visit to Lystra he was encouraged by the

steadfastness of the young church and especially with the de-

velopment of young Timothy.

"In Timothy Paul saw one who appreciated the sacredness

of the work of a minister; who was not appalled at the prospect

of suffering and persecution; and who was willing to be taught.

Yet the apostle did not venture to take the responsibility of

giving Timothy, an untried youth, a training in the gospel min-

istry, without first fully satisfying himself in regard to his char-

acter and his past life."—The

Acts of the Apostles,

page 203.

Paul did not want any more experiences such as he had

with John Mark. See Acts 12:25; 13:13; 15:37-40. Youth were

needed to carry the burden, but he wanted young men who

were experienced in faith, men who had earned the respect

of their peers as well as older members of the community. Such

a young man he found in Timothy.

THINK IT THROUGH



In choosing leaders for the church, regardless of the level

of responsibility, what qualifications are the most important?

"As the lessons of the Bible are wrought into the daily life,

they have a deep and lasting influence upon the character.

These lessons Timothy learned and practiced. He had no spe-

cially brilliant talents, but his work was valuable because he

used his God-given abilities in the Master's service. His knowl-

edge of experimental piety distinguished him from other be-

lievers and gave him influence."—The

Acts of the Apostles,

page 205.

Nothing can compensate for genuine faith that is recog-

nized alike by colleagues and by non-Christians. Platform skill,

persuasive eloquence, mental brilliance—all such abilities may

be useful and do permanent good only when used by the man

of faith who truly witnesses to the converting power of the Lord

Jesus.



FURTHER STUDY



The Acts of the Apostles,

pages 205-210.

Introducing Two Young Men of Faith

LESSON 1



❑

Wednesday

July 2



Part 4



How did Paul emphasize the influence of youthful be-

A SNAPSHOT

lievers?



OF TIMOTHY



"Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an

example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity."

1 Tim. 4:12, RSV.

From one standpoint Timothy was an untried youth. He was

"little more than a boy" when Paul took him as his understudy.

See Ellen G. White Comments,

SDA Bible Commentary,

Vol. 7,

p. 918. Yet his character pattern had become well established;

he had satisfied Paul's investigation.

"In the history of Timothy are found precious lessons. He

was a mere lad when chosen by God as a teacher; but so fixed

were his principles by a correct education that he was fitted

for this important position. He bore his responsibilities with

Christlike meekness. He was faithful, steadfast, and true, and

Paul selected him to be his companion in labor and travel. Lest

Timothy should meet with slights because of his youthfulnesi,

Paul wrote to him, 'Let no man despise thy youth.' He could

safely do this, because Timothy was not self-sufficient, but con-

tinually sought guidance."—Ellen G. White Comments,

SDA

Bible Commentary,

Vol. 7, p. 915.

Read 1 Tim. 5:23.

Here is a suggestion that Timothy may not have enjoyed

robust health. But nevertheless Timothy plunged into the very

demanding life that Paul's schedule called for. Paul knew, how-

ever, that, unless Timothy placed a high priority on his physical

strength and general health habits, he would soon become use-

less as a leader. Mental and moral alertness are largely de-

pendent upon a healthy body.

Although some believe that Paul here advocates the moder-

ate use of fermented wine for medicinal purposes, others con-

tend that Paul refers to unfermented wine and was not likely

to give advice inconsistent with Scriptural warnings against in-

toxicating beverages. The main point to consider is that Timothy

needed to be reminded that optimal health was a major asset

in his role as a church leader.

Read 2 Tim. 1:7, 8.

Paul's admonition intimates that his young co-worker may

have been, by natural temperament, tilted more toward being

an introvert than an extrovert.

THINK IT THROUGH



Is there a particular kind of personality that God can

best use as a Christian worker? If so, how would you de-

scribe that person? What about those who don't fit the pat-

tern?



FURTHER STUDY



The Ministry of Healing,

pages 469-474.

Introducing Two Young Men of Faith

LESSON 1



❑

Thursday

July 3



Part 5



What became Timothy's clearest teaching manual on how

PAUL'S

to become a faithful pastor?



CO-WORKER



"Now you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my

aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness,

my persecutions, my sufferings, what befell me at Antioch, at

Iconium, and at Lystra, what persecutions I endured; yet from

them all the Lord rescued me." 2 Tim. 3:10, 11, RSV.

Four times in the two letters to Timothy (two in each) Paul

called him "son" (KJV) (in RSV two of these are rendered

"child"). Although Paul probably had no son after the flesh, his

relationship with Timothy seemed to compensate. The bond

between these two men, one in his middle forties and the other

yet in his teens, melded almost immediately; the mutual trust

developed beyond the normal co-worker cordiality.

Read 2 Tim. 2:2.

Timothy learned by watching and doing. His information was

not rented or second-hand, not merely academic but thoroughly

experiential. Truth became more than an intellectual experi-

ence, more than a knowing; Timothy saw what Paul had early

realized, that truth is a matter of

doing

the will of God.

"The great apostle often drew the younger disciple out,

questioning him in regard to Scripture history, and as they

traveled from place to place, he carefully taught him how to

do successful work. Both Paul and Silas, in all their association

with Timothy, sought to deepen the impression that had al-

ready been made upon his mind, of the sacred, serious nature

of the work of the gospel minister."—The

Acts of the Apostles,

page 204.

THINK IT THROUGH



Does Paul's advice to Timothy, as well as His method of

developing his effectiveness as a soul winner, apply only to

young ministers? Is there any difference between the way a

minister witnesses to the power of the gospel and that ex-

pected of an ordinary church member?

"Christ has given to

the

church a sacred charge. Every

member should be a channel through which God can commu-

nicate to the world the treasures of His grace, the unsearchable

riches of Christ. There is nothing that the Saviour desires so

much as agents who will represent to the world His Spirit and

His character. There is nothing that the world needs so much as

the manifestation through humanity of the Saviour's love. All

heaven is waiting for men and women through whom God can

reveal the power of Christianity."—The

Acts of the Apostles,

page 600.

FURTHER STUDY



Christ's Object Lessons,

"To Meet the Bridegroom," pages

416-421.

Introducing Two Young Men of Faith

LESSON 1



❑

Friday

July 4



Part 6



How did Paul regard Titus?

TITUS, THE



OTHER SON



"To Titus, mine own son after the common faith." Titus 1:4.

Little is known of Titus: He is not mentioned in the book of

Acts. References to him in Paul's letters however indicate

that, like Timothy, Paul had found in Titus a remarkable young

man who could be trusted, not only with the doctrinal content

Paul had taught him, but also as a reliable co-worker. He be-

came the leader of the church's expansion into the area now

known as Yugoslavia. See 2 Tim. 4:10.

Read 2 Cor. 8:23, 16, 17.

Titus had been sent to Corinth on one of the most sensitive

missions ever undertaken in the Christian church. The Chris-

tian community in this influential port city was in great danger

of destroying itself and bringing doubt into the minds of many

regarding the genuine effectiveness of the gospel.

"Pride, idolatry, and sensualism were steadily increasing

among those [in Corinth] who had once been zealous in the

Christian life.

"As this picture was presented before him, Paul saw that

his worst fears were more than realized. . . . Gladly would he

have visited Corinth at once, had this been the wisest course

to pursue. But he knew that in their present condition the be-

lievers would not profit by his labors, and therefore he sent Titus

to prepare the way for a visit from himself later on."—The

Acts

of the Apostles,

pages 300, 301.

After sending the letter and Titus, Paul could only hope for

the best. As time passed and not hearing from Corinth or Titus,

Paul left for Troas on his way to Macedonia, hoping to find

Titus. "I had no rest in my spirit, because

found not Titus

my brother." 2 Cor. 2:13.

Read 2 Cor. 7:6, 7.

This remarkable incident tells us much about Titus. He was

young but effective. He was a bridge builder and not one who

delighted in polarizing a group. He was more committed to

building up a program than taking advantage of misunderstand-

ings between a leader and his followers. Titus could have

subtly alienated Corinth from Paul and built himself up as a

more understanding, up-to-date leader. If Titus had not been

a man of faith, the situation at Corinth could possibly have

become a complete disaster.

THINK IT THROUGH



What dangers does a conciliator face? How differently could

the Corinth problem have turned out if Titus were self-serving?

LESSON 2 July

6-12

TH-C PURPOSE

TFECOLOGY

'Neither give heed to fables and

endless genealogies, which minister

questions, rather than godly edifying

which is in faith: so do." 1 Tim. 1:4.

"The ultimate aim of the Christian

ministry, after all, is to produce the

love which springs from a pure

heart, a good conscience and a gen-

uine faith. Some seem to have for-

gotten this and to have lost them-

selves in endless words. They want

a reputation as teachers of the Law,

yet they fail to realize the meaning

of their own words, still less of the

subject they are so dogmatic about."

1 Tim. 1:5-7, Phillips.

It is a frightening thought that,

along with the "lawless and dis-

obedient"

as described in this first

chapter (verses 9, 10), an appalling

number of Bible-quoting church

members will also be lost. These

church members, known generally

as those "in good and regular stand-

ing," will be lost, not because they

did not know the truth about Jesus

and His second coming, or that the

seventh day is the Sabbath, but be-

cause the truth did not change their

dispositions, daily habits, and atti-

tudes toward other people.

For those who still have time to

decide about which group they

want to finally end up in, Paul's

counsel to Timothy is very real and

clear. No amount of theology under-

stood, no great service record of

talking about it with others, no com-

mendable program of financial

stewardship, nor anything else that

is good in itself will do,

if!

If doc-

trine becomes only an end in itself

and not a means to refine the char-

acter until it finally reflects Jesus

Himself, if an outstanding service

record merely reflects human ac-

tivity and enthusiasm rather than

Christ's approach, the terrible mo-

ment of truth will come when Jesus

says, "I never knew you." Matt. 7:23.

This week's lesson will never have

been learned by the five foolish

virgins (Matt. 25). Church members,

yes, but not candidates for the king-

dom. Accepted perhaps as leaders in

their local churches on earth, they

are not fit to be saved into a com-

munity where love springs, forth

spontaneously and where a rebel

thought never arises. Words cannot

emphasize the importance of learn-

ing what Paul wanted Timothy to

make clear to the church members

at Ephesus and all Christians ever

since.

LESSON OUTLINE

The Challenge of Ephesus,

1 Tim. 1:3

Authentic Credentials, 1 Tim. 1:1

Faith Misunderstood, 1 Tim. 1:4

Aim of Doctrine, 1 Tim. 1:5, 6

Faith Exalts the Law, 1 Tim.

1:8-11

Paul, an Example of Faith and

Love, 1 Tim. 1:12-14



The Purpose



of Theology

LESSON 2



❑

Sunday

July 6



Part 1



At what famous city was Timothy given major responsibil-

THE CHALLENGE

ities?



OF EPHESUS



"As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain

at Ephesus." 1 Tim. 1:3, RSV.

Timothy fulfilled many difficult assignments as Paul's rep-

resentative, but going to Ephesus was perhaps his most impor-

tant. He had spent more than two years in Ephesus during

Paul's third evangelistic tour, followed by a special assignment

to Corinth, some time with Paul in Greece, and then the last

journey to Jerusalem where Paul was arrested.

During the first imprisonment in Rome, Timothy remained

with Paul; after the release Paul and Timothy journeyed to Asia

Minor, with Timothy staying in Ephesus while Paul moved on.

Ephesus became a key base for the expansion of Christianity,

and a clear thinking leader was needed to consolidate the

work that Paul and others had developed. That Timothy was

accounted capable of fulfilling this assignment is eloquent

testimony of his ability and also unqualified vindication of

Paul's earlier judgment to train Timothy as his close associate.

Read Acts 19:26, 27.

Along with being one of the great commercial capitals of

the ancient world, Ephesus was also a center for the various

schools of Greek and Oriental philosophy as well as most

forms of pagan religion. Acts 19 refers to the great temple of

the goddess Diana, or Artemis, that attracted vast multitudes

of pilgrims and brought much wealth and fame to Ephesus.

Besides being the swirling center of philosophy and pagan

religion, Ephesus also had a strong Jewish community with

its teaching and influence.

"Ephesus was not only the most magnificent, but the most

corrupt, of the cities of Asia. Superstition and sensual pleasure

held sway over her teeming population. Under the shadow of

her temples, criminals of every grade found shelter, and the

most degrading vices flourished."—The

Acts of the Apostles,

page 286.

THINK IT THROUGH



If you had been Paul or Timothy, how would you have be-

gun preaching the gospel in such a city as Ephesus? Are

there similar challenges today? What evangelistic approaches

do you think would be most effective?

"Those who belong to the higher ranks of society are to be

sought out with tender affection and brotherly regard. Men in

business life, in high positions of trust, men with large inven-

tive faculties and scientific insight, men of genius, teachers of

the gospel whose minds have not been called to the special

truths for this time—these should be the first to hear the call."

—Christ's Object Lessons,

page 230.



FURTHER STUDY



Testimonies,

Vol. 6, pp. 77-84.

The Purpose of Theology

LESSON 2



❑

Monday

July 7

Part 2

AUTHENTIC

CREDENTIALS

What made Paul's credentials authentic?

"Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of

God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope."

1 Tim. 1:1.

Paul's opening words sound out a note of authority, making

it clear to all who would read this letter in Ephesus and else-

where that he was not merely writing a personal letter to

his old friend Timothy. After many years of watching young

churches develop, knowing first-hand where the unseen dan-

gers would be, Paul sent this very explicit pastoral letter to

Ephesus through its chief pastor.

Paul spoke forcefully, knowing to whom he owed his first

loyalties. Since those early days with Ananias in Damascus

when he first heard the call to the Christian ministry, Paul had

lived under the "commandment of God." In holy boldness and

humility he took his place with the Twelve as one of Christ

Jesus' special emissaries—the apostles.

In what way would God (the Father) be our Saviour? Is

Christ our hope only in the sense that He is coming again?

Or that He as a Person has become the ground of hope be-

cause of what He did as a human being?

All members of the Godhead have participated in the work

of saving mankind although they may have had different func-

tions. In emphasizing God as our Saviour, Paul stresses the

deliverance from the guilt and power of sin that the Godhead

provides; in emphasizing Jesus as our hope, we are reminded

that without God becoming incarnate in Jesus, there would be

no meaning to life, no reason to hope that anything could truly

get better. Life without hope is a depressing, suffocating ex-

perience.

The pagan world had been calling some of their chief gods

"Savior" for some time. Great men, such as Alexander the

Great, were called "Savior," as were the Roman emperors. But

all these applications never rose higher than the economic or

political spheres; only Christianity, building on the rich back-

ground of the Old Testament, applied the concept of Saviour to

the spiritual and eternal.

THINK IT THROUGH



If you were Timothy, would you have wanted Paul to

begin this important letter on church management any dif-

ferently? What responsibility would you feel if you had re-

ceived a letter such as this?

For us living in the twentieth century, this letter to Timothy

carries as much authority as it did to the church members at

Ephesus. It contains priceless guidance for the church today.

The Purpose of Theology

LESSON 2



❑

Tuesday

July 8

Part 3

FAITH MIS-

UNDERSTOOD

What is the danger of theological speculation?

"Nor to occupy themselves with myths and endless gene-

alogies which promote speculations rather than the divine

training that is in faith." 1 Tim. 1:4, RSV.

Paul moves directly to the point: anything that does not

lead to faith is pure waste and, worse, destructive. God designs

that faith should be the beginning and end of divine training.

Faith is a dynamic way of life—a personal relationship with

God wherein man cheerfully demonstrates his trust in God

by a life habit of obedience. He says Yes to God in prosperity

and adversity. Faith is the opposite of sin. A sinner is a rebel;

he distrusts God and does not make Him Lord of his life.

When the man of faith turns to his neighbor and witnesses

to his Lord, he begins to theologize, to explain doctrinally who

it is that he trusts and for what reasons. The quality of his

faith, his trusting, obedient relation with God, does not neces-

sarily depend upon how much formal theology he knows.

In what way can you

see

doctrine (or theology) becoming

a handicap to faith? In what way can faith make it possible

to understand doctrine?

"The faith that is unto salvation is not a mere intellectual

assent to the truth. He who waits for entire knowledge before

he will exercise faith cannot receive blessing from God. It is

not enough to believe

about

Christ; we must believe

Him.

The only faith that will benefit us is that which embraces Him

as a personal Saviour; which appropriates His merits to our-

selves. Many hold faith as an opinion. Saving faith is a trans-

action by which those who receive Christ join themselves in

covenant relation with God. Genuine faith is life. A living faith

means an increase of vigor, a confiding trust, by which the

soul becomes a conquering power."—The

Desire of Ages,

page 347.

Strange as it may seem, many people enjoy the bizarre, the

mystical, the novel, rather than the simple message of the

gospel. They feel they are on the "inside" when they share

some novel speculation, and the excitement is often misunder-

stood for genuine religion. Here Paul makes it clear that a mis-

understanding of faith can open the door to many kinds of

useless activity often done under the cloak of respectable

Christianity.

THINK IT THROUGH



Do I substitute the confidence I have in doctrine for the

daily confidence I should have in the empowering guidance

of a living Saviour?

FURTHER STUDY



Christ's Object Lessons,

"To Meet the Bridegroom," pages

408-416.

The Purpose of Theology

LESSON 2



❑

Wednesday

July 9



Part 4



In what way can even Bible study become a substitute for

AIM OF

faith?



DOCTRINE



"Whereas the aim of our charge is love that issues from a

pure heart and a good conscience and sincere faith. Certain

persons by swerving from these have wandered away into

vain discussion." 1 Tim. 1:5, 6, RSV.

The aim of the Christian ministry (the "charge" given to

Timothy) is to present before the world a truly loving people, a

community of Christians that reflects the love and faith of the

Lord Jesus Christ. It is for this that Christ lingers.

"Christ is waiting with longing desire for the manifestation

of Himself in His church. When the character of Christ shall

be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to

claim them as His own.

"It is the privilege of every Christian not only to look for

but to hasten the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. . . . Were

all who profess His name bearing fruit to His glory, how

quickly the whole world would be sown with the seed of the

gospel."—Christ's

Object Lessons,

page 69.

If faith does not produce love, it is not genuine faith. So

Paul said: "For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth

any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love."

Gal. 5:6.

Paul's chief concern is that the gospel should make clear

the new kind of life possible in Christ Jesus. We have often

found it easier to learn doctrine than to make a life habit out

of truly loving others. Thus some swerve from the purpose of

the gospel, finding their security in knowing about the truth,

rather than living in the truth, loving as Christ loved.

THINK IT THROUGH



What internal connection do you see between a pure heart,

a good conscience, sincere faith, and love? Are they synony-

mous or sequential?

"It is contrition and faith and love that enable the soul to

receive wisdom from heaven. Faith working by love is the key

of knowledge, and everyone that loveth `knoweth God.' 1 John

4:7."—The Desire of Ages,

page 139.

A good conscience depends upon the source of the infor-

mation that it is guided by. An ignorant conscience will not

produce a sincere faith any more than a sincere faith can func-

tion alongside an impure heart or an unintelligent conscience.

Faith is the key that awakens conscience, purifies the heart,

and prompts genuine love.



FURTHER STUDY



Christ's Object Lessons,

"Without a Wedding Garment,"

pages 311-315.

2-A.Q. 3-75

The Purpose of Theology

LESSON 2



❑

Thursday

July 10

Part 5

FAITH EXALTS

THE LAW

"But we know that the law is good, if a man use it law-

fully; . . . according to the glorious gospel of the blessed

God, which was committed to my trust." 1 Tim. 1:8-11.

How can a good law be misused and lead to bad religion?

Paul hastens to distinguish between teachers who misuse

the law and the law itself. Neither academic credentials, ob-

vious literary skills, or a wealth of information will guarantee

that a theologian rightly understands the law of God.

For example, how to apply the Ten Commandments has

been the point of contention between well-trained theologians

for centuries. Some say it applied only to the literal Jews,

others contend that Christians under grace are no longer under

the law. The problem gets even more difficult when earnest

Christians are deluded into thinking that outward conformance

to the law (a necessary and commendable objective) somehow

provides security and satisfies God's expectations for His

people.

Only genuine faith can rightly understand the purpose of the

law. The scribes and other teachers of the law in Christ's day

misunderstood this purpose and were rebuked by our Lord.

See Matt. 22:29. As Paul said in Romans 7:12, "The law is

holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good." So he

reminds the church through Timothy that "the law is good."

The man of faith knows that without the law no man would

know God's will or how far man has strayed; faith says Yes

to whatever God has commanded because faith knows that

the law tells the truth about God and man.

What relationship is there between the law and love?

"Love is the fulfilling of the law." Rom. 13:10.

THINK IT THROUGH



Do I find it easier to keep the law than to have faith?

Easier to keep the law than to love? See Matt. 19:16-22.

is possible to emphasize the law and become recognized

as commandment keepers and still miss the mark and swerve

from love, a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith.

See 1 Tim. 1:5. One does not have to dismiss the law as Jewish

or outdated to be guilty of misusing the law.

"The life of Christ on earth was a perfect expression of

God's law, and when those who claim to be children of God

become Christlike in character, they will be obedient to God's

commandments. Then the Lord can trust them to be of the num-

ber who shall compose the family of

heaven."—Christ's Object

Lessons,

page 315.

FURTHER STUDY



Christ's Object Lessons,

"Without a Wedding Garment,"

pages 316-319.

The Purpose of Theology

LESSON 2



❑

Friday

July II

Part 6

PAUL, AN

EXAMPLE OF

FAITH AND

LOVE

Where do faith and love begin?

"I thank him who has given me strength for this, . .

because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of

our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are

in Christ Jesus." 1 Tim. 1:12-14, RSV.

Read also 1 Tim. 1:15-17.

Paul was his own best illustration of what the gospel is all

about. He had been guilty of misunderstanding the law—not

as a vain speculator as some, not as others who diminished

the importance of the law, but as one who confused the pur-

pose of the law. He had trusted in external obedience and had

missed the spiritual intent of the law. In serving God with this

misguided understanding of the law, he had overlooked the

principle of love and mercy that God Himself was showing to

all men.

When Paul finally accepted Jesus as his Lord, he saw the

law in a completely new setting. Instead of a burden, it be-

came a friend—it showed him how much he truly needed grace.

Instead of viewing verses 12 to 17 as a digression, we

should see them as a beautiful snapshot of what the gospel

will do for anyone who lets the grace of God overflow in his

life. Gratitude for salvation, for knowing Jesus as a personal

Friend and Saviour, becomes as spontaneous as breathing. If

thankfulness does not spring forth naturally, something very

serious has happened to the spiritual life of a professed Chris-

tian.

Instead of his former "unbelief" (literally, "unfaith"), verse

13, Paul was a model of living faith (verse 14). Genuine love

had replaced a merciless self-righteousness that had once

driven a rabid bigot to kill men in the service of God. What

greater example could be given of the power of God in Jesus

Christ? If Paul could be changed, should any man doubt what

God could do for him?

THINK IT THROUGH



If Saul of Tarsus heard the gospel only as interpreted by

the teachers of the law described in verse 7, do you think

that there would have been Paul, the converted Pharisee?

What is the only appropriate response to the gospel? What

alone proves that Jesus indeed saves sinners?

"Satan had claimed that it was impossible for man to obey

God's commandments; and in our own strength it is true that

we cannot obey them. But Christ came in the form of humanity,

and by His perfect obedience He proved that humanity and

divinity combined can obey every one of God's precepts. . . .

"When a soul receives Christ, he receives power to live the

life of Christ."—Christ's

Object Lessons,

page 314.

FURTHER STUDY



Christ's Object Lessons,

"Without a Wedding Garment,"

pages 307-311.

2-A.Q. 3-75

"I will therefore that men pray

every where, lifting up holy hands,

without wrath and doubting."

1 Tim. 2:8.

Victorious Christians have dis-

covered that their strength depends

on strict attention to key areas such

as a good conscience, genuine faith,

an open spirit to the secular world

and its civic responsibilities, a mis-

sion-oriented life, and a healthy

concern for decorum in all aspects

of life. In this week's lesson Paul

clearly shows how all these fit to-

gether in an authentic Christian

witness.

All Christians will face occasions

when the road ahead seems uncer-

tain and the troubles of the day

formidable. Paul reminds us that we

all have had occasions in the past

when older and more experienced

Christians have recognized our

commitment and our usefulness to

the Church's program. That memory

of acceptance and trust by others

is a deep source of personal strength

when the light temporarily dims.

Christians have not always linked

their personal devotional life with

their civic responsibilities and world

outreach. Such nearsightedness has

often led to sad consequences.

When religious talk is more with

Christians than with non-Christians,

something very alien to true Chris-

tianity has occurred. If Christians are

concerned about "the heathen" in

lands afar and not also with next-

door neighbors who know not the

love and strength of Jesus, some-

thing very distorted has happened;

serious consequences that spell

spiritual disaster soon follow.

Charging through the world with

lances aimed at principles, untem-

pered by timing and propriety, cer-

tain people have, in the name of

the best of causes, wounded people

rather than established truth.

Paul has much to say in this

week's lesson about how the Chris-

tian should go about gaining the

attention of the world as well as

how to keep himself strong and

untarnished in the process.

LESSON OUTLINE

Public Recognition and Con-

firmation, 1 Tim. 1:18

Relationship Between Faith and

Conscience, 1 Tim. 1:18, 19a

How to Shipwreck Faith, 1 Tim.

1:19

Relating to Civil Powers, 1 Tim.

2:1, 2

Motivation for Missions, 1 Tim.

2:3-6

Men and Women of Faith at

Worship, 1 Tim. 2:8-15

LESSON 3 July 13-19

Tlie CH-RISTIAN'S

WEAPONS

The Christian's Weapons

LESSON 3



❑

Sunday

July 13

Part 1

PUBLIC RECOG-

NITION AND

CONFIRMATION

What was the source of Timothy's continued inspiration?

"This charge I commit to you, Timothy, my son, in accord-

ance with the prophetic utterances which pointed to you, that

inspired by them you may wage the good warfare." 1 Tim.

1:18, RSV.

Every Christian is by definition a witness to Christ. In addi-

tion the church has always recognized that certain persons are

called to a specific work in Christian service. Such recognition

has usually been confirmed by public ordination.

Timothy had a general charge and a specific task that

changed frequently over the years. Paul had sent Timothy to

Ephesus specifically to stabilize the doctrinal foundation in a

time of conflict. See verse 3. While emphasizing the specific

assignment and how to handle it, Paul also reminded Timothy

of his ordination and of the ringing words of support from sea-

soned elders of the church.

Every Christian worker will have occasions when his im-

mediate assignment is difficult and foreboding and the fear of

failure seems crushing. Paul knew all this from experience and

here does for Timothy what he would have been grateful for

during some of his perplexing days. Today the young pastor,

like Timothy, should remember the confidence expressed in

being selected by wise church leaders and realize that such

public sanction was a recognition of basic qualifications for

hard duties. Thus he will often find his courage greatly strength-

ened and his mind cleared for fresh action.

"God foresaw the difficulties that His servants [Paul and

Barnabas] would be called to meet, and, in order that their

work should be above challenge, He instructed the church by

revelation to set them apart publicly to the work of the min-

istry. Their ordination was a public recognition of their divine

appointment to bear to the Gentiles the glad tidings of the

gospel....

"It was an acknowledged form of designation to an ap-

pointed office and a recognition of one's authority in that of-

fice."—The

Acts of the Apostles,

pages 161, 162.

THINK IT THROUGH



Have you fulfilled the expectations of those who had much

confidence in your abilities to serve Jesus in a specific man-

ner? What can you yet do to recover lost opportunities or to

assure yourself and the Lord that you will be prepared for

the next opportunity to lead someone heavenward?

FURTHER STUDY



Steps to Christ,

"The Work and the Life," pages 77-83.

The Christian's Weapons

LESSON 3



❑

Monday

July 14

Part 2

RELATIONSHIP

BETWEEN

FAITH AND

CONSCIENCE

What are the two weapons that guarantee the Christian's

victory over evil?

"This charge I commit to you, Timothy, my son, . . . that

. . . you may wage the good warfare, holding faith and a

good conscience." 1 Tim. 1:18, 19a, RSV.

Paul states that living, genuine faith and a good conscience

rests firmly on the conviction that God has spoken through

inspired men (verses 18, 19). Faith is not built on human logic

or philosophy; conscience is not safe or consistent if it gets

its directions from human reasoning or feeling.

Conscience enables a person to pass judgment on his own

acts or thoughts, but it acts only according to the light it has.

This inner moral monitor is only as dependable as the stan-

dards it sets up for itself. Thus a conscience can be over-

scrupulous (1 Cor. 10:25) or seared by abuse (1 Tim. 4:2).

The man of faith admits the truth about himself and God

when he confesses that he is the rebel and wants forgiveness.

Those who do not admit themselves to be rebels do not ac-

knowledge Jesus as Lord. Thus their understanding of truth

is profoundly distorted. Such distortion directly affects the

quality of conscience. The conscience can be no sharper and

safer than the information it calls truth.

THINK IT THROUGH



it possible for two people to look at and hear the very

same truth and yet for only one to respond in faith? What

keeps the other person from faith when the information re-

ceived is equal?

"God does not conceal His truth from men. By their own

course of action they make it obscure to themselves. Christ

gave the Jewish people abundant evidence that He was the

Messiah; but His teaching called for a decided change in their

lives. They saw that if they received Christ, they must give up

their cherished maxims and traditions, their selfish, ungodly

practices. It required a sacrifice to receive changeless, eternal

truth. Therefore they would not admit the most conclusive

evidence that God could give to establish faith in Christ."—

Christ's Object Lessons,

page 105.

It is impossible to have a seared or bad conscience if one

has genuine faith. The conscience of a man of faith may be

immature and need enlightenment (Rom. 14:22, 23); yet it must

not be violated even though it may need education. The man

of faith makes a life habit out of knowing as much about God

and himself as is humanly possible under the help of God. Such

faith is the only guarantee that the conscience is rightly direct-

ing the Christian.

FURTHER STUDY



Testimonies,

Vol. 2, pp. 118-124.

The Christian's Weapons

LESSON 3



❑

Tuesday

July 15



Part 3



What erosion usually precedes the collapse of faith?

HOW TO SHIP-



WRECK FAITH



"By rejecting conscience, certain persons have made ship-

wreck of their faith." 1 Tim. 1:19, RSV.

In verse 18 Paul uses the analogy of strategic warfare as

the original language suggests. In verse 19 Paul uses another

graphic metaphor, that of the shipwrecked vessel.

Hymenaeus and Alexander (verse 20) were leaders among

those who were teaching strange doctrine and confusing the

Ephesian church regarding the real aim of the Christian gos-

pel. Paul struck at the heart of the problem when he noted

that the faulty concience precedes a shipwrecked faith.

This sequence is as old as the apostolic church and as fresh

as tomorrow. It is a pity but true that those who "thrust away"

or "reject" a good conscience find things divine less and less

appealing. In fact, justifying excuses pampers the indulged

conscience, and a strange blindness sweeps over the soul until

the blinded one no longer sees or lives in reality.

"The Lord requires us to obey the voice of duty, when

there are other voices all around us urging us to pursue an

opposite course. It requires earnest attention from us to dis-

tinguish the voice which speaks from God. We must resist and

conquer inclination, and obey the voice of conscience without

parleying or compromise, lest its prompting cease and will and

impulse control. The word of the Lord comes to us all who have

not resisted His Spirit by determining not to hear and obey....

"Let no man flatter himself that he is a successful man

unless he preserves the integrity of his conscience, giving

himself wholly to the truth and to

God."—Testimonies,

Vol. 5,

pp. 69, 70.

THINK IT THROUGH



Have you noticed in your own life the subtle connection

between a compromised conscience and a fading faith? Have

you also noticed that peace of mind and heart return only

when you have squared your life habits with the will of God,

regardless of earthly consequences?

Compromise does not always involve gross sins; it may

easily be cloaked with the approval of one's peers. Pride of

education and superior skills, pride of popularity, desire to

please those who are in power—all such unseen drives can

argue a good conscience into a self-serving one. The end of

such compromise is a shipwrecked faith that no longer hears

the voice of God in either the Bible or conscience.



FURTHER STUDY



Christ's Object Lessons,

"Other Lessons From Seed-sow-

ing," pages 84, 85.

The Christian's Weapons

LESSON 3



❑

Wednesday

July 16

Part 4

RELATING TO

CIVIL POWERS

For whom should Christians earnestly pray?

"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers,

intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for

kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a

quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty." 1 Tim.

2:1, 2.

In this second chapter Paul begins his specific counsel re-

garding matters that needed emphasis in Ephesus and perhaps

in all the young churches: (1) the importance of intelligent

prayer (verses 1-8); (2) the part women were to take in public

worship (verses 9-15).

When small in numbers and misunderstood, Christians in

any age have found it easy to feel detached from the larger

world about them. But Paul attacked this natural inclination to

withdraw from civic responsibilities. Especially in public wor-

ship, Christians are consciously to recognize their involvement

with all men, high and low. Christianity was to enlighten pro-

vincial attitudes and to strengthen civil cooperation wherever

such could be done in good conscience.

Public prayer was to include petitions, intercessions, and

thanksgiving for all men; all men needed the moral lifting

power of Christians. To pray for another is the first step in

recognizing another's need and how it can be cared for. Inclu-

siveness in public prayer would keep the face of the church

turned toward the world.

But what may have been surprising was Paul's counsel to

pray for Nero and other government leaders who had made life

difficult for the early Christians. If Paul commanded early Chris-

tians to pray for such a despot, surely no leader of any govern-

ment is beyond the circle of Christian sympathy and interces-

sion.

THINK IT THROUGH



Is Paul's reason for prayer offered on behalf of public offi-

cials basically selfish? If not, what would be the desired

result of such prayers?

We are reminded of Paul's counsel in Romans 13. Christians

are not to be known as unpatriotic; that is, they should always

be working to support the common good and not be identified

with any particular political faction.

"We are not required to defy authorities. Our words, whether

spoken or written, should be carefully considered, lest we place

ourselves on record as uttering that which would make us ap-

pear antagonistic to law and order. We are not to say or do

anything that would unnecessarily close up our way."—The

Acts of the Apostles,

page 69.

FURTHER STUDY



Gospel Workers,

pages 391-396.

The Christian's Weapons

LESSON 3



❑

Thursday

July 17

Why should Christians pray for all men everywhere?

"This is good, and it is acceptable in the sight of God our

Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the

knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is

one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,

who gave himself as a ransom for all." 1 Tim. 2:3-6, RSV.

The instruction already given in this chapter was given

for two reasons: (1) it would reflect how God has always re-

lated to all men; (2) such open concern for the welfare of all

men, regardless of their rank or race, was the only way that

Christians could please God and do His bidding.

Neither prayer nor church activity in general should be lim-

ited to personal interests. The Christian is global in thought

and act; he does not interest himself in only part of mankind

any more than his Lord limited Himself to only a segment of

mankind.

Salvation is not limited by God's willingness but by man's

reluctance "to come to the knowledge of the truth." Coming

to "the knowledge of the truth" is the act of faith. Accepting

"the truth" means that a person recognizes the fact that he

is a sinner, that he needs divine forgiveness and help, that he

finds such in accepting Jesus as the Lord of his life, and that

obedience to truth is hereafter his chief goal in life.

What fundamental fact makes Christianity unique and not

just another useful religion among many others? Verse 5.

Probably the most awesome thought expressed in the history

of man is here reaffirmed by Paul: "There is one God." But

even more than that: "There is one mediator between God and

men, the man Christ Jesus." Other religions have emphasized

monotheism (the oneness of God), but no other religion has

developed the concept of a God-man mediator, historically

manifested.

Can a more beautiful, moving, powerful thought be uttered

and contemplated? God, for man's sake, laid aside the security

of divine rights and became man in order that He could speak

and act in terms that man could understand. Jesus revealed

to mankind how God still thought about sinners and what He

desired to do for them, if they would only be willing to co-

operate with Him.

THINK IT THROUGH



How is the Christian church to convey to the world today

this magnificent truth about God who became Man and make

it convincing? Would merely telling this story be enough?

FURTHER STUDY



Christ's Object Lessons, "The Lord's Vineyard,"

pages 300-

306.

Part 5

MOTIVATION

FOR MISSIONS

The Christian's Weapons

LESSON 3



❑

Friday

July 18

Part 6



What are some of the significant characteristics that dis-

MEN AND

tinguish people of faith in public worship?

WOMEN OF

FAITH AT

WORSHIP

After giving his counsel regarding the universal scope of

public worship in the Christian congregation, Paul now em-

phasizes the spirit and behavior of the worshipers. Paul was

speaking to specific problems that emerged in these emerging

churches: (1) the need for order and purpose, and (2) the

need to reduce misunderstanding regarding the

new role for

women that Paul encouraged at a time when such freedoms

would have been greatly misinterpreted by the general public.

Is Paul more interested in the posture of prayer or the

spirit in the one who prays? Verse 8.

The Ephesus congregation apparently had a number of mem-

bers who wanted the privilege of being spiritual leaders but

were more interested in public recognition of their leadership

skills than in the spirit of the gospel they tried to teach. They

misunderstood the central feature of Christianity.

Why do you think Paul was so explicit in his counsel re-

garding women in public worship?

In Paul's day the rights of women, both private and public,

were, relatively speaking, nonexistent. Perhaps no one man

or group of men has surpassed Paul in radically altering the

status of women. His writings have fostered the emancipation

of women in securing social, civil, and political rights.

But Paul knew the dangers of misunderstanding in a day

when women of ill repute were

easily

identified by both their

extravagant adornment and cosmetics on one hand, and their

public assertiveness on the other. Paul expected that the sim-

ple principles of the gospel that cut through all self-indulgence

and self-assertiveness would be clearly manifested in both

Christian men and women.

THINK IT THROUGH



Does my selection of clothes and hair style, my purchases

of automobiles and homes, my life-style as a confessing Chris-

tian reflect modesty, self-respect, love, and holiness?

FURTHER STUDY



Testimonies,

Vol. 1, pp. 424-426.

"I desire then that in every place the men should pray .. .

without anger or quarreling; also that women should adorn

themselves modestly and sensibly. . . . Let a woman learn in

silence with all submissiveness. . . . Yet woman will be saved

. . . if she continues in faith and love and holiness, with

modesty." 1 Tim. 2:8-15, RSV.

LESSON 4 July 20-26

CRCDCNTIALS FOR

CRURCH-

LCADCRSFHP

"And without controversy great is

the mystery of godliness: God was

manifest in the flesh, justified in the

Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto

the Gentiles, believed on in the

world, received up into glory."

1 Tim. 3:16.

Among Paul's concerns as he

wrote to Timothy was efficient lead-

ership in the young Christian com-

munities. In other letters that Paul

had written (Rom. 12:1-8, e.g.), he

had made clear that the spirit and

principles of Christian leadership

are vastly different from those that

govern the leaders of secular insti-

tutions. For the Christian, leader-

ship is not a matter of status but of

service. How different from the re-

lations that prevail between leaders

and followers in the army or in a

great corporation!

Within a century and a half after

Paul's death a terrible misunder-

standing regarding the authority of

ecclesiastical office had been estab-

lished. Because of this tragedy mil-

lions were destined to suffer and die

in the centuries that followed. As a

result, authentic Christianity nearly

vanished from the earth.

Paul's specifications for the selec-

tion of leaders, as set forth in this

week's lesson, stress the leader's

personal example and positive spir-

itual image. Executive ability alone

does not qualify a man to be a re-

sponsible Christian leader. Knowing

human nature as he did, Paul fore-

saw the danger that love of position

and power would lead men to con-

clude—consciously or unconsciously

—that office makes a man holy and

right, that it guarantees correct

belief.

Another unfortunate misconcep-

tion is that one church office is in-

herently superior to another, and

that it confers greater holiness to

the one who holds the higher offices.

In Paul's instruction to Timothy

he stresses the New Testament prin-

ciple of faith-fellowship, not the

traditional misconception of dogma-

institution. The church is not a build-

ing, nor an institution, but a fellow-

ship of men of faith who reveal the

truth about life. They demonstrate

the superiority and winsomeness of

the God-directed life, and they are

reliving before the world God's

message in Jesus—that truth is not

merely a matter of knowing the will

of God, but of doing it.

Only Christlike leaders of the

Christian community can rightly

represent the One who said, "I am

... the truth." Only irreproachable

believers of integrity can be pillars

and bulwarks of the truth. The gates

of hell, Christ said, would never be

able to prevail against that kind of

church.

LESSON OUTLINE

The Household of God, 1 Tim.

3:14, 15

The Mystery of Our Religion,

1 Tim. 3:16

The Elder-1, 1 Tim. 3:2, 3

The Elder-2, 1 Tim. 3:4, 5

The Deacon-1, 1 Tim. 3:8-10

The Deacon-2, 1 Tim. 3:12, 13

Credentials for Church Leadership

LESSON 4



❑

Sunday

July 20

Part 1

THE HOUSE-

HOLD OF GOD

What was Paul's chief reason for writing to Timothy?

"I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these in-

structions to you so that, if I am delayed, you may know how

one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the

church of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of the truth."

1 Tim. 3:14, 15,115V.

Here Paul gives his reason for writing not only the specific

instructions regarding elders and deacons but also the gen-

eral summary of his important teachings that we now call

1 Timothy.

Paul planned to visit Timothy in Ephesus soon. But knowing

the uncertainty of travel and other hazards, Paul wanted to be

certain that Timothy had in his hands authoritative guidelines

for the organization of the Ephesians into a model church for

Asia Minor. Every church since has had the privilege of check-

ing its own procedures against the inspired instruction given by

Paul.

The church is not a human institution even though it must

be humanly administered. This fact has been hard to remember

for many innovators throughout the history of the church. Even

though the church is a living fellowship, organized by and for

the general welfare of its members, it is also the "pillar and

bulwark of the truth."

What relationship exists between the behavior of Chris-

tians and the fact that they are to function as the "pillar and

bulwark of the truth"? Verse 15.

Worshiping and representing a living God requires a living

dynamic faith that is easily distinguished from the anxious, self-

indulging men and women living without Christ. The Christian

church has more assigned to it than merely to proclaim infor-

mation—even if that information were without error. To be

the "bulwark" or the buttress of the truth means that truth is

believable only when the lives of the professing church mem-

bers back up and clearly give visible structure to the word

that is preached.

The central truth of the gospel is that God is able (Jude 24)

to keep Christians from sin. Paul proclaims that "we are more

than conquerors through him that loved us." Rom. 8:37.

Only when Christians reveal this power and manifest God's

purposes will God be rightly represented and vindicated.

THINK IT THROUGH



What relationship is there between a clear, living witness

to the truth about the living God and the end of the world?

FURTHER STUDY



Christ's Object Lessons,

"First the Blade, Then the Ear,"

pages 62-69.

Credentials for Church Leadership

LESSON 4



❑

Monday

July 21

Part 2

THE MYSTERY

OF OUR

RELIGION

What is the great mystery of the universe that could be

made known only through revelation?

"Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of our religion:

He was manifested in the flesh,

vindicated in the Spirit, seen by angels,

preached among the nations,

believed on in the world, taken up in glory."

1 Tim. 3:16, RSV.

Why does Paul call Christianity a mystery?

In the New Testament frequent references are made to the

mysteries of certain aspects of the gospel and to the gospel

generally. See Rom. 16:25; 1 Cor. 2:7; Eph. 3:3, 4. But mystery

is not used here to suggest that something is covered up and

kept secret. Although Paul uses "mystery" often, he always

refers to divinely revealed truth that God wants all men to know.

It is a mystery in the sense that it could be known in no other

way than by God's revelation.

How else, except through revelation, could anyone under-

stand the incarnation of Jesus or His resurrection?

The greatness that Paul stresses is not the mysterious nature

of the gospel but its importance, its earthshaking possibilities.

Any genuine Christian reading Paul's letter would quickly say

Amen!

THINK IT THROUGH



Would you confess with Paul that the central fact and

inspiration of your personal understanding of the gospel is

the incarnation of Jesus? How would you answer the ques-

tion: What is the great uniqueness of the Christian religion?

In verse 9 Paul emphasizes that church officers must pos-

sess "the mystery of faith with a clear conscience." In verse

16 he discloses the grounds for faith, the substance that faith

believes, "the mystery of our religion."

Six tremendous facts (verse 16) about Jesus, God who be-

came man, provide the reason Christians have hope for the fu-

ture, an endless resource to love in spite of provocation, and a

life-style that reverses the degeneration of the human race.

That God became man is the most stimulating, most refresh-

ing, most thoroughly unique statement ever uttered by man.

The tragedy is that the Christian church has been most respon-

sible over the years for diluting the meaning of the incarnation

by not recognizing that He became truly man. By fearing to

suggest that the Holy God should know the tug of temptation,

they have minimized His actual feat of being the first man to

live without sin.

FURTHER STUDY



Selected Messages,

Bk. 1, pp. 252-256.

Credentials for Church Leadership

LESSON 4



❑

Tuesday

July 22

Part 3



What high standards were to guide the church in the selec-

THE ELDER-1

tion of its leaders?

"A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one

wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality,

apt to teach; not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of

filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous." 1 Tim.

3:2, 3.

The word "bishop" is the translation for the Greek word

that literally means "overseer"; in the New Testament this

word and another translated "elder" are used interchangeably,

one referring to the scope of his work and the other to the dig-

nity that befits such a leader.

The emphasis on the leader's irreproachable character as

known among people outside the church as well as by fellow

Christians is placed in proper perspective. The word "must" is

strongly emphasized in the Greek as it should be. By the very

nature of the case, Christian leaders

must

be living illustrations

of the truth they profess to teach, not only for the sake of the

community in general but also as a model for fellow members.

Also interesting in Paul's requirements of the elder is that

there is nothing about this list, except perhaps "apt to teach,"

that is any different from that expected of all church members.

Paul does not recognize two spiritual divisions within the

church: first-class being the clergy, and second-class, the

laity.

"Husband of one wife" means that the church leader must

be a man who is irreproachable in the area of sexual conduct.

Although marital fidelity was taken very lightly in Paul's day,

this instruction has never grown out-of-date. Perhaps it is

needed to be said today as much as Paul needed to say it then.

"Vigilant" means literally, "an abstainer from wine." The

elder should refrain from all that is harmful and use all else

judiciously.

"Sober" suggests prudence; every church needs sound-

minded leaders who can detect imbalance and fanaticism on

one hand and devious liberalism on the other.

"Good behaviour" calls for leaders who are true Christian

gentlemen. They exhibit a fitness and propriety that, sum up

the previously mentioned traits.

"Apt to teach" does not mean merely that the elder should

be willing to teach but that he be able to teach with a certain

measure of skill.

THINK IT THROUGH



Paul lists five negatives that must not be a part of the

leader's reputation or character. Is there often a correlation

between some or all five of these negative characteristics?

Credentials for Church Leadership

LESSON 4



❑

Wednesday

July 23



Part 4



How closely do a leader's children affect his church work?



THE ELDER-2



"He must manage his own household well, keeping his

children submissive and respectful in every way; for if a man

does not know how to manage his own household, how can

he care for God's church?" 1 Tim. 3:4, 5, RSV.

For two reasons ill-mannered children are a liability to a

church leader, whether he be a minister or local elder; they

are a poor exhibit of the power of Christianity, and they give

evidence that the father is incompetent for church leadership.

Paul is using the argument of the less to the greater—if a man

fails in a smaller task (that of managing his own family), he is

incapable of successfully managing the many families that

compose a local congregation.

Although a man may possess all the other qualities that

Paul lists, a recent convert or a hopeful beginner should not

be elevated to important church responsibilities. Age is not

Paul's point; spiritual maturity is.

What are some of the dangers that may overtake a man

who has been prematurely placed in a position of heavy re-

sponsibility? Verse 6.

Paul mentions how subtle conceit may be, even in a man of

good intentions. Pride loses perspective; the affected one

makes hasty decisions, not realizing the implications of the

problem. The ability to listen to others is not a mark of a proud

man or of many inexperienced men. Falling into the same con-

demnation that Satan has received may sound harsh, but Paul

was realistic.

In determining the qualifications of church leaders, how

high a premium should be placed on the opinion of persons

outside the church? Verse 7.

Again Paul uses the strong emphasis in the Greek: "He must

be well thought of by outsiders." RSV. The potential church

leader should enjoy a favorable reputation. Apparently, he

should be someone who is already recognized as a man of

integrity in his community.

THINK IT THROUGH



Have you ever heard that a member was put into leader-

ship in order to encourage him, showing that the church was

interested in him? Why might this be a disaster for that

person?



FURTHER STUDY



The Desire of Ages,

pages 249-251.

3-A.Q. 3-75

Credentials for Church Leadership

LESSON 4



❑

Thursday

July 24



Part 5



How does Paul describe the qualities expected of a dea-

THE DEACON-1

con?

"Deacons likewise must be serious, not double-tongued,

not addicted to much wine, not greedy for gain; they must

hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And

let them also be tested first; then if they prove themselves

blameless let them serve as deacons." 1 Tim. 3:8-10, RSV.

The precise nature of the deacon's responsibility is not

made clear in the New Testament, and about all we know is

found in the above text and Philippians 1:1. In Rom. 16:1 refer-

ence is made to a woman called a deaconess. (See RSV.)

Although the seven men, including Stephen, who were ap-

pointed to aid widows in the Jerusalem church (Acts 6) were

not called deacons, it seems that their great assistance in re-

lieving the apostles for preaching caused early leaders like

Paul to think seriously about such a group in every church.

About the only difference between the qualifications for the

deacon and the elder is that the deacons are not expected to

be especially trained as official teachers of the church. Paul

expected the same spiritual and moral standards to be upheld

by both levels of leadership.

Being double-tongued is a serious problem for anyone, but

it is a grave problem indeed for someone who has the respon-

sibility of making the rounds of visitation as expected of a

deacon or an elder. They would hear much that would require

careful discernment; instead of a peacemaker, a double-

tongued leader would be a troublemaker.

The warning against greed does not indicate that money-

making is evil. It is a warning against dishonorable gain such

as tripped up Judas as he handled the disciples' funds. The

deacon in his personal business should plan to be successful,

but it should be earned honestly. Certainly the deacon should

not use his office for personal gain, even though he might not

do anything legally dishonest.

THINK IT THROUGH



Why does Paul again join faith and conscience? Is it be-

cause Paul demands more than "a good conscience"? Can a

person have a good conscience and do some very bad acts?

Every potential candidate for church office should ask him-

self whether his conscience can approve his life-style when

compared with the expectations of God's will.

As for the elder, so with the deacon—no one should be

hurried into church office. There must be a record of mature

Christian living. Church offices were not made so that the

careless may be given a chance to prove themselves.



FURTHER STUDY



The Desire of Ages,

pages 437-439.

Credentials for Church Leadership

LESSON 4



❑

Friday

July 25



Part 6



What are the legitimate rewards for those who serve well

THE DEACON-2

in church office?

"Let deacons be married only once, and let them manage

their children and their households well; for those who serve

well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also

great confidence in the faith which is in Christ Jesus." 1 Tim.

3:12, 13, RSV.

Again, as with the elders (verse 2), Paul places a high pre-

mium on a deacon's marital fidelity and his ability to manage

his own household. All Christians should be faithful to their

marital vows; if there is reason to question, that person should

never be appointed a deacon or an elder.

Apparently Paul feels that ill-tempered, disobedient chil-

dren are sufficient evidence that a man, in spite of other ex-

ecutive abilities, is disqualified to assume the function of a

church leader.

THINK IT THROUGH



What satisfactions and compensations await a church offi-

cer who performs his duties conscientiously?

Certainly men and women who do their church duties faith-

fully will enjoy the respect and confidence of their fellow

church members. More than that, their commitment will be

noticed by people outside the church and could become an

avenue of blessing to such.

More than the well-deserved commendation and respect of

others is the church worker's growing confidence in his Lord's

guidance. He knows that without the assurance of his Lord's

care and power many would be the occasions for 'defeat and

discouragement. Nothing prepares a man for largertasks more

than the settled confidence that God is always able to provide

the wisdom and strength needed, regardless of the duty as-

signed. Developing such boldness of faith is the highest form

of compensation that any Christian could hope for.

"The humble worker who obediently responds to the call of

God may be sure of receiving divine assistance. To accept

so great and holy a responsibility is itself elevating to the

character. It calls into action the highest mental and spiritual

powers, and strengthens and purifies the mind and heart.

Through faith in the power of God, it is wonderful how strong

a weak man may become, how decided his efforts, how prolific

of great results. . .. The more one tries to explain the word of

God to others, with a love for souls, the plainer it becomes to

himself. The more we use our knowledge and exercise our

powers, the more knowledge and power we shall have."—

Christ's Object Lessons,

page 354.



FURTHER STUDY



Christ's Object Lessons,

"Talents," pages 360-365.

3—A.Q. 3-75

"Take heed unto thyself, and unto

the doctrine; continue in them: for

in doing this thou shalt both save

thyself, and them that hear thee."

1 Tim. 4:16.

Paul's emphasis in this week's

lesson is on quality people who

alone are able to proclaim the good

news about God to man. This kind

of quality is the result of faith—man

cooperating with God, who has

promised to supply all that is needed

in order to restore in man the long-

besmirched image of his Maker.

Such Christians know by personal

experience that Jesus not only saves

man from the penalty of sin but also

from its power.

But such an experience does not

passively presume that there is noth-

ing for man to do in the develop-

ment of this quality people. Paul

never tires of repeated reference to

toiling and striving. But he knows

that the strength to strive, the power

to overcome, comes not from within

man's resources but from the em-

powering Spirit of God. The man of

faith lives a grateful life, knowing

that the peace he possesses and the

victories won are all from the God

who has promised to keep him from

falling. See Jude 24.

God waits for that generation who

will grasp this thought and live its

truth: Men and women can live

without sinning even as Jesus lived

without sinning; men and women

can so live that God can without

embarrassment point them out as

those who "keep the command-

ments of God, and the faith of

Jesus." Rev. 14:12.

They will have learned well Paul's

admonition: "Take heed to yourself

and to your teaching; hold to that,

for by so doing you will save both

yourself and your hearers." 1 Tim.

4:16, RSV.

LESSON OUTLINE

Departure From Doctrinal In-

tegrity, 1 Tim. 4:1-3

Portrait of a Good Leader, 1 Tim.

4:6

Christian Discipline, 1 Tim.

4:7, 8

Setting the Example, 1 Tim.

4:11, 12

Skill in Public Performance,

1 Tim. 4:13-15

The Greatest Sermon, 1 Tim.

4:16

LESSON 5 July 27-August 2

PREPARATION FOR

MODEL LEADERS

Preparation for Model Leaders

LESSON 5



❑

Sunday

July 27

Part 1

DEPARTURE

FROM

DOCTRINAL

INTEGRITY

What special apostasies within the Christian church were

predicted by Paul?

"Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some

will depart from the faith by giving heed to deceitful spirits

and doctrines of demons, through the pretensions of liars

whose consciences are seared, who forbid marriage and en-

join abstinence from foods which God created to be received

with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth."

1 Tim. 4:1-3, RSV.

"Later times" means in the days to follow, and does not

especially refer to the last days. In the previous three chapters

Paul has emphasized that one of the chief responsibilities of

church leadership is to guard the sacred truth as first pro-

claimed by the apostles. But, even with such watchfulness,

apostasies would occur.

When Paul left Ephesus some years before writing this

letter to Timothy (now at Ephesus), what were some of his

warnings? Acts 20:29, 30.

Paul here is more explicit regarding these leaders of deceit

and some of their false doctrines. They sail under false colors,

giving the impression that they are the most loyal to the

church's mission and that what they teach is the deeper mean-

ing of what the church has always believed, et cetera.

Sad but true, a person's conscience can become so seared

by rationalization and habit that all sensitivity to the voice of

the Holy Spirit is lost.

Some of these devilish doctrines that would appear logical,

and in a strange way desirable in attaining Christian goals,

were in the area of asceticism, a visible form of self-denial.

Self-denial was central to Christian thought, and any promotion

to encourage a person's self-denial seemed praiseworthy.

But in compulsory celibacy and programmed fasting from

certain foods a strange spirit entered the church. Nowhere in

the Bible is marriage condemned. In fact in chapter 3, Paul

declared it proper for church elders and deacons to be faithful

husbands and the heads of godly families. Likewise, nowhere

is abstinence from food suggested as a means of developing

character. The only prohibition of foods in the Bible (Lev. 11;

Deut. 14) refers to unclean foods, and such food was never

"created to be received with thanksgiving."

THINK IT THROUGH



What other ways can you think of that Christians have

devised whereby through self-denial or even self-affliction

they have sought the praise of men and the pleasure of God?

FURTHER STUDY



The Desire of Ages,

pages 257, 258.

Preparation for Model Leaders

LESSON 5



❑

Monday

July 28



Part 2



What particular characteristics distinguish a good church

PORTRAIT OF

leader?



A GOOD LEADER



"If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things,

thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up

in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou

Nast attained." 1 Tim. 4:6.

The reference to a "good minister" does not necessarily

mean a clergyman; in fact, any church member who jealously

guards the truths of Christianity from the false teachings that

so easily creep in would be a "good minister of Jesus Christ."

What is at stake is how men are saved and how God dis-

poses of the sin problem. The evil one will do anything to keep

this issue confused, especially in the church. The essence of

genuine faith is that men recognize Jesus to be man's Saviour

and Example, that there is no good thing that man can do by

his own effort without the empowering Spirit of God, and that

God's goal for the Christian is to develop a character like his

Lord's. Genuine faith and correct doctrine are two sides of

the same coin.

Christianity is more than accepting a list of doctrines. If it

were only this, the best Christians would be those with the

sharpest intellect.

THINK IT THROUGH



In what way did Paul make clear that there is more to

Christianity than memorizing good doctrine?

"It is not enough for us to believe that Jesus is not an

impostor, and that the religion of the Bible is no cunningly de-

vised fable. We may believe that the name of Jesus is the

only name under heaven whereby man may be saved, and yet

we may not through faith make Him our personal Saviour. It

is not enough to believe the theory of truth. It is not enough

to make a profession of faith in Christ and have our names

registered on the church roll. . . . Whatever our profession, it

amounts to nothing unless Christ is revealed in works of righ-

teousness."—Christ's

Object Lessons,

pages 312, 313.

Genuine faith, Paul's theme here and elsewhere, is con-

cerned about man's relationship with God. Aware of how

subtle pride is, the man of faith takes no credit for his good

deeds.

"The faith that is unto salvation is not a casual faith, it is

not the mere consent of the intellect, it is belief rooted in the

heart, that embraces Christ as a personal Saviour, assured

that He can save unto the uttermost all that come unto God

Him."—Selected Messages,

Bk. 1, p. 391.



FURTHER STUDY



Selected Messages,

Bk. 1, pp. 389-398.

Preparation for Model Leaders

LESSON 5



❑

Tuesday

July 29

Part 3

CHRISTIAN

DISCIPLINE

What kind of discipline is necessary for Christian growth?

"Train yourself in godliness; for while bodily training is

of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds

promise for the present life and also for the life to come."

1 Tim. 4:7, 8, RSV.

The striving of the false teachers and the pretentious liars

was worse than useless—it led to a false sense of security and

a self-centered character that misrepresented Christianity.

There is a kind of physical exercise that is useful, Paul says

—the kind that builds up health and provides the best possible

condition for the spiritual man to grow.

But Paul is more concerned about the discipline that the

Christian applies to his attitudes, habits, and desires. The

genuine Christian concentrates on those habit patterns that

are fitting him to live with the redeemed forever.

"We can never be saved in indolence and inactivity. There

is no such thing as a truly converted person living a helpless,

useless life. It is not possible for us to drift into heaven. No

sluggard can enter there. If we do not strive to gain an en-

trance into the kingdom, if we do not seek earnestly to learn

what constitutes its laws, we are not fitted for a part in it. Those

who refuse to co-operate with God on earth would not co-oper-

ate with Him in heaven. It would not be safe to take them to

heaven."—Christ's Object Lessons,

page 280.

How does Paul vouch for the rewards of godliness in the

present life? Verse 9.

What is one of the chief motivations that spurs on the

faithful Christian worker? Verse 10.

THINK IT THROUGH



In what sense can it be said that the Christian is to "make

the best" of both worlds? List the differences between the

Christian's life-style and that of the worldling. Can it

said

that, even if there were not a heaven to come, the Christian

does not forfeit the best things of this life and enjoys them

more than the worldling?

FURTHER STUDY

Godliness does have value in this life; it may or may not

accompany prosperity, but its blessings are worth more than

a rich man's fortune. What lies ahead when Jesus sets up His

kingdom is beyond man's imagination, but the reality of such

promises is as sure as the promises that have been fulfilled

in the present life.

The Ministry of Healing,

pages 497-502.

Preparation for Model Leaders

LESSON 5



❑

Wednesday

July 30

Part 4

SETTING THE

EXAMPLE

What challenge did Paul give to young Timothy?

"These things command and teach. Let no man despise

thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word,

in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." 1 Tim.

4:11, 12.

Verses 11-16 are filled with wise counsel for which Timothy

and every successful pastor since has been very grateful.

Probably equally significant is the heightened awareness that

every church member has of the pastor's responsibilities, lead-

ing to intelligent understanding and sympathy after reading

these verses. Paul did not make the mistake of believing that

a blameless life would be sufficient in fulfilling the responsibil-

ities of Christian leadership. There would be times when firm,

clear instruction and direction would have to be given in order

to correct evil conduct or subversive teachings.

The one factor that could have persuaded Timothy to be

less forceful was his comparative youthfulness, although at

the time he received this letter he must have been in his mid-

thirties. He had to contend with sophisticated men, strong and

influential, who had won their way partly because of their

apparent piety. But Timothy was commanded to deal forth-

rightly with the subtle deceptions of the ascetic crowd, regard-

less of their prestige and his own age.

The young leader's best credentials will be to live above

reproach, an example of those Christian graces that are much

easier to talk about than to live.

THINK IT THROUGH



From generation to generation, through the history of the

Christian church, responsibilities have had to be passed on

from the older to the younger. What can be done to guaran-

tee continuing fidelity to doctrine and ethical standards?

Should youth be given the opportunity to restructure the

church program as they see fit?

"Those who are older must educate the youth, by precept

and example, to discharge the claims that society and their

Maker have upon them. Upon these youth must be laid grave

responsibilities. The question is, Are they capable of govern-

ing themselves, and standing forth in the purity of their God-

given manhood, abhorring everything that savors of wicked-

ness?...

"Not for one moment should the youth think that they can

acceptably fill any position of trust without possessing a good

character. Just as well might they expect to gather grapes of

thorns, or figs of thistles."—Counsels

to Teachers,

page 536.

FURTHER STUDY



Counsels to Teachers,

pages 535-540.

Preparation for Model Leaders

LESSON 5



❑

Thursday

July 31

Part 5

SKILL IN PUBLIC

PERFORMANCE

What high premium did Paul place on the Christian lead-

er's performance in public?

"Till I come, attend to the public reading of scripture,

to preaching, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have,

which was given you by prophetic utterance when the elders

laid their hands upon you. Practice these duties, devote your-

self to them, so that all may see your progress." 1 Tim. 4:13-

15, RSV.

Although Paul turns specifically to the public work that

constitutes

the major task of a Christian preacher, his counsel

should be considered by

anyone who is called to lead out in a

public meeting.

Preaching, teaching, and reading the Scriptures is a diffi-

cult art and must be practiced. The novice, or one who has

little idea of the sacredness of his work, considers sincerity

to be enough. How sad, for their sake and for the many who

have a right to hear the gospel given in a clear, meaningful

manner.

"The man who accepts the position of being mouthpiece

for God should consider it highly essential that he present the

truth with all the grace and intelligence he can, that the truth

may lose nothing in his presentation of it to the people. Those

who consider it a little thing to speak with an imperfect utter-

ance dishonor

God."—Evangelism,

page 665.

Reading the Scriptures in public is no easy task and should

be done only after practice and in such a way that will "charm

the

hearers."—Evangelism,

page 666.

"The science of reading correctly and with the proper em-

phasis, is of highest value.' No matter how much knowledge

you may have acquired in other lines, if you have neglected to

cultivate your voice and manner of speech so that you can

speak and read distinctly and intelligently, all your learning

will be of but little profit; for without voice culture you can-

not communicate readily and clearly that which you have

learned....

"The tones of the voice have much to do in affecting the

hearts of those that

hear."—Evangelism,

pages 666, 667.

THINK IT THROUGH



What is more important—what is said or how it is said?

Upon whom is the greater responsibility when the listener

doesn't understand or is offended by what is said?

"The manner in which the truth is presented often has much

to do in determining whether it will be accepted or rejected."

—Testimonies,

Vol. 4, p. 404.

FURTHER STUDY



Evangelism,

pages 174-180.

Preparation for Model Leaders

LESSON 5



❑

Friday

August I



Part 6



What relationship exists between the Christian's character

THE GREATEST

and the doctrine he believes and shares?



SERMON



"Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue

in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and

them that hear thee." 1 Tim. 4:16.

The genuine Christian first prepares himself before he tries

to convince others. He is his greatest sermon. The effective-

ness of Christianity rests not on brilliant theological reasoning

but on the disarming gracefulness, forbearance, and integrity

of its representatives.

God is waiting for a generation who will take Paul's counsel

seriously. The doctrine is very important; without it Christian

conviction melts into personal feeling that shifts with the cir-

cumstances. But doctrine without a demonstration misrepre-

sents the Lord of the doctrine.

The Bible is a light only when it is translated into living

color in the lives of genuine Christians. "Through the Holy

Spirit, God's word is a light as it becomes a transforming power

in the life of the receiver. By implanting in their hearts the

principles of His word, the Holy Spirit develops in men the

attributes of God. The light of His glory—His character—is to

shine forth in His followers."—Christ's

Object Lessons,

page

414.

The Greek indicates that Paul is not prodding Timothy into

more exactitude in his personal development or in pastoral

skills. "Keep on taking heed" would be a better translation.

THINK IT THROUGH



If God alone saves, why does Paul tell Timothy that by

constant improvement he will save both himself and his

hearers?

"'Thyself' needs the first attention. First give yourself to

the Lord for purification and sanctification. A godly example

will tell more for the truth than the greatest eloquence, unac-

companied by a well-ordered life. Trim the lamp of the soul,

and replenish it with the oil of the Spirit....

" 'Take heed,' first to yourself, and then to the doctrine.

Do not let your heart become hardened by sin. Closely ex-

amine your manners and habits. Compare them with the word

of God, and then cut away from the life every wrong habit and

indulgence. Kneel before God, and plead with Him for an un-

derstanding of His word. Be sure that you know the real prin-

ciples of the truth; and then when you meet opponents, it will

not be in your own strength; an angel of God will stand by

your side, to help in answering every question that may be

asked."—Gospel

Workers,

pages 104, 105.



FURTHER STUDY



Gospel Workers,

pages 124-132.

LESSON 6 August 3-9

RCSPONSIBILITICS

TFFC

URCE+ TOWAR

ITS

MCMBERS

"These things teach and exhort."

1 Tim. 6:2.

is simply amazing how Paul kept

the total picture in balance. Yet

when we remember that he was an

inspired writer, we recognize the

true Source of this balance. He could

range the heavens with profound

theology and make its application

in easy-to-grasp lessons so that the

simplest could understand God's

will for him. All the while he kept

his eye on the mechanics of a well-

operating community of saints, per-

ceived areas of tension, and forth-

rightly ordered procedures that

would have caused endless contro-

versy if authority had not been ex-

ercised from the beginning. Just how

many today would have foreseen the

problems arising within a sensitive

congregation that felt certain re-

sponsibilities for widows but not

really knowing how much respon-

sibility was proper? Or the special

target church elders would become

when jealous members decided to

"hurt" them in some way?

In its work, the Christian congre-

gation faces both the world without

and the needs within. Every con-

gregation is composed of many who

are new in the Christian walk; they

may lack knowledge as well as ex-

perience. Some members grow

faster than others. Yet all may want

to make a contribution to the on-

going life of the local church. A

manual is needed to avoid unneces-

sary misunderstanding, and for this

reason Paul wrote out these specific

instructions to Timothy and for

the church at large.

LESSON OUTLINE

Basic Human Relationships,

1 Tim. 5:1, 2

Responsibility to "Real" Wid-

ows, 1 Tim. 5:3-10

Guidelines for Young Widows,

1 Tim. 5:11-15

Respect for Church Leaders,

1 Tim. 5:17, 18

Impartial Justice, 1 Tim. 5:20

Truth Will Always Be Revealed,

1 Tim. 5:24, 25

Responsibilities of the Church Toward Its Members



❑

Sunday

LESSON 6



August 3

Part 1

BASIC HUMAN

RELATIONSHIPS

How should a Christian admonish a fellow church member?

"Do not rebuke an older man but exhort him as you would

a father; treat younger men like brothers, older women like

mothers, younger women like sisters, in all purity." 1 Tim.

5:1, 2, RSV.

Church leadership involves personal care for individuals as

well as developing skills in preaching and in the public read-

ing of the Scriptures. See chapter 4:13.

Some will think they need more attention than truly re-

quired; others will complain about what they think to be unfair

practices and attitudes on the part of fellow church mem-

bers. Always there will be some who will be overlooked be-

cause they are undemanding, although their need for help will

be very great.

When a younger person must admonish an older, respect for

age must temper the rebuke. However, age itself does not

make rebuke unnecessary. But wise is the young man or woman

who deals gently, even when firmness is required, with the

person who is older. The counsel is explicit: Do not run

roughshod over those who are older.

No matter how correct one is, a person's usefulness is

greatly limited by the manner in which he reprimands. Timothy

was to be an example of Christian love, showing respect and

deference to all who needed to be admonished.

What added caution did Paul give to men as they per-

formed their church duties among young women? Verse 2.

Any breach of propriety may injure or destroy years of ex-

cellent reputation of even the most devoted, energetic pastor

or church officer.

"The subject of purity and propriety of deportment is one

to which we [those called to the ministry] must give heed. We

must guard against the sins of this degenerate age. Let not

Christ's ambassadors descend to trifling conversation, to fa-

miliarity with women, married or single. Let them keep their

proper place with becoming dignity; yet at the same time

they may be sociable, kind, and courteous to all. They must

stand aloof from everything that savors of commonness and

familiarity. This is forbidden ground, upon which it is unsafe

to set the feet. Every word, every act, should tend to elevate,

to refine, to ennoble. There is sin in thoughtlessness about

such matters."—Gospel

Workers,

page 125.

THINK IT THROUGH



Is there anything in my deportment that could be inter-

preted as an enticement that would appeal to someone else's

weakness?

FURTHER STUDY



Testimonies,

Vol. 4, pp. 65, 66.

Responsibilities of the Church Toward Its Members



❑

Monday

LESSON 6



August 4

Part 2

RESPONSIBILITY

TO "REAL"

WIDOWS

How does Paul distinguish between widows who deserve

special church support and those who do not?

"Honor widows who are real widows. If a widow has

children or grandchildren, let them first learn their religious

duty to their own family and make some return to their par-

ents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God. She who is a

real widow, and is left all alone, has set her hope on God

and continues in supplications and prayers night and day;

whereas she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she

lives. Command this, so that they may be without reproach."

1 Tim. 5:3-7, RSV.

Paul gives considerable counsel regarding the care of

widows—a problem with many aspects. Such care for wid-

ows must have been a new concept in the first century A.D.

If not properly handled, however, it could have rent the young

church. Not only would it disrupt local church budgets, but

hazy thinking would divide congregations in endless arguments.

Paul knew how sensitive church members would be regard-

ing the allocation of their funds for the care of needy members.

His criteria for the widows who truly deserved church help

were as follows: They were not able to support themselves;

they had no relatives upon whom they had the right to depend;

they were worthy—a credit to the church's name—as well as

needy.

How strongly did Paul feel regarding those who did not

care for the needs of their relatives? Verse 8.

The care for widowed parents or grandparents is a respon-

sibility resting upon all children and is required by the fifth

commandment. Returning the care given to them in their young

years of helplessness should be the young's ready response of

gratitude to those who are entering their older years of relative

helplessness. No amount of Christian service can possibly ex-

cuse the abandonment of needy parents or others in the im-

mediate family.

What added qualification does Paul expect of a widow

past sixty years of age who demonstrates financial need?

Verses 9,10.

THINK IT THROUGH



As one who is younger, have I done all that I could to

make the last years of my parents as pleasant as possible?

As a parent, am I a credit to my church and an honor to my

children, making it a pleasure for them to help me if I should

become helpless?

FURTHER STUDY



The Adventist Home,

pages 360-364.

Responsibilities of the Church Toward Its Members



❑

Tuesday

LESSON 6



August 5

Part 3

GUIDELINES

FOR YOUNG

WIDOWS

What was Paul's counsel regarding young widows?

"But refuse to enrol younger widows; for when they grow

wanton against Christ they desire to marry, and so they incur

condemnation for having violated their first pledge. Besides

that, they learn to be idlers, gadding about from house to

house, and not only idlers but gossips and busybodies, saying

what they should not. So I would have younger widows

marry, bear children, rule their households, and give the

enemy no occasion to revile us. For some have already strayed

after Satan." 1 Tim. 5:11-15, RSV.

Paul is adamant; young widows (apparently those under 60)

were not to be placed on the list of those for whom the church

should feel responsible. Such a practice seemed to have al-

ready proved dangerous for both the woman and the good name

of the church.

Paul is certainly not against remarriage; in fact, he strongly

urges it. But he is against giving up the Christian faith in order

to be married once again. Paul's chief concern here is for

the spiritual welfare of young widows. See also verse 6. The

loss of a husband creates a problem that unmarried women

do not experience. Paul wants widows to remarry if possible

but not for the wrong reasons.

To "wax wanton" means to cast off self-restraint, no longer

restrained even by Christ. Such a person intends to satisfy

personal desires, regardless; easy it is to rationalize a mar-

riage with a pagan, becoming pagan again in order to satisfy

the life-3tyle of the new husband.

For Paul nothing is more important than the image of the

church before a pagan world. Nothing should be done, even

the formation of a new home, that would "give the enemy . . .

occasion to revile us."

How does Paul stress the inherent responsibility resting

upon members of the young widow's family, to assist her

until she finds a way to support herself? Verse 16.

Paul's principle is that relatives have first responsibility in

the care of needy widows. Men are to care for the needs of

widowed mothers and grandmothers (verse 4), and Christian

women who have means should assist relatives who are widows

and need help.

THINK IT THROUGH



What are the various ways that anyone can help a needy

widow? Are you doing all you can for those in your own

family? Are there those in the church who could use your

encouragement and material assistance?

Responsibilities of the Church Toward Its Members

❑

Wednesday

LESSON 6



August 6

Part 4

RESPECT FOR

CHURCH

LEADERS

What special considerations should be given to those who

labor full time in the preaching-teaching ministry?

"Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of

double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and

teaching; for the scripture says, 'You shall not muzzle an ox

when it is treading out the grain,' and, 'The laborer deserves

his wages.' " 1 Tim. 5:17, 18, RSV.

The care necessary in selecting church elders has already

been emphasized in chapter 3. They are to be exceptional in

spiritual matters as well as model fathers and homemakers. In

return for their dedication to church affairs, they deserve double

honor and respect.

Those elders who devote themselves exclusively to the up-

building of the church, the full-time pastor or evangelist, de-

serve a living wage. In 1 Corinthians 9:9-11 Paul elaborates

the principle of remuneration that he briefly touches here. Paul

bases his instruction on a simple principle that settles every-

thing: "The scripture says." He places an Old Testament state-

ment (Deut. 25:4) alongside of a New Testament statement

(Luke 10:7), indicating that the principle is one of long stand-

ing and has been validated by our Lord Himself. This may be

the first instance where the words of Jesus are quoted as

"scripture."

How did Paul indicate that the church elder may get the

opposite of honor as he faithfully pursues his duties? Verse 19.

It is a serious matter to charge a church elder with mis-

conduct—much is at stake. Not only is a man's reputation

questioned but the good name of the Christian community is

endangered. III will has often trumped up charges against a

minister who has had to be firm in rebuking wrongdoing. Not

a few ministers and other church officers have had their in-

tegrity questioned by unscrupulous persons.

Paul's caution is wise counsel even today. The honor due

to the office demands that extreme care be given to accusa-

tions demeaning a church leader. There may be times when

the accusations are true and the offender must be dealt with.

But with the indictment must come the credible witness of two

or three persons or else the accusation is not to stand.

THINK IT THROUGH



Do you know of instances where men or women in church

office have been hurt by unsupported accusations? What

would be your response today if you should hear damaging

information regarding a church leader?

FURTHER STUDY



The Acts of the Apostles,

pages 278, 279.

4-A.Q. 3-75

Responsibilities of the Church Toward Its Members



❑

Thursday

LESSON 6



August 7

Part 5

IMPARTIAL

JUSTICE

How did Paul order that wrongdoing by church officers be

dealt with?

"As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the pres-

ence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear." 1 Tim. 5:20,

RSV.

Paul considers the charge of wrongdoing, especially against

church officers, a very serious occasion. He rejects unsup-

ported accusations on one hand, and cover-up of sin on the

other.

The public exposure would remind fellow officers that sin

is a terrible enemy wherever found and must be handled as

a poisonous snake; otherwise, the end of unrecognized and

unpunished sin is a demoralized congregation. Even though

the offender is to be publicly rebuked, Paul would want it done

in compassion and tenderness. See 2 Cor. 2:6-8.

Paul surely is not referring to gross sins such as stealing,

adultery, Sabbath breaking, et cetera. These sins would require

more than a rebuke. Elders who have committed grave sins

should not continue to hold their office, and the congregation

itself should be properly informed and be responsible for ap-

propriate discipline. Paul would not excuse an elder for an

offense for which he recommended disfellowshipping regular

members. See 1 Cor. 5:9-13.

Against what practice did Paul warn? Verse 21.

When guilt has been established, the church leader must be

given no favors; nothing would sour the spirit of a congrega-

tion quicker. The younger members would feel cause to ques-

tion the integrity of all leaders and the organization itself. Paul

emphasized the importance of this principle by reminding

Timothy and all other leaders that we all stand under the

searching eyes of a righteous God.

What special counsel does Paul give regarding the qualifi-

cations of church leaders? Verse 22.

If members are elected for church leadership prematurely,

before they have made a consistent record of unimpeachable

conduct, the church members have a responsibility for the

mistakes of these untried leaders. Furthermore, if the mistakes

of leaders are overlooked for reasons of friendship or timidity,

again such fellow members are participating in those sins.

THINK IT THROUGH



Are you doing all you can to keep the image of the church

pure before the world? Are you reluctant to become involved

in rebuking sins that have become, to some extent, a public

spectacle?

Responsibilities of the Church Toward Its Members



❑

Friday

LESSON 6



August 8

Part 6

TRUTH WILL

ALWAYS BE

REVEALED

How does Paul make clear that selecting men and women

for church office, widow privileges, et cetera, is not an impos-

sible task?

"The sins of some men are conspicuous, pointing to judg-

ment, but the sins of others appear later. So also good deeds

are conspicuous; and even when they are not, they cannot

remain hidden." I Tim. 5:24, 25, RSV.

These verses on sins and good deeds close Paul's discus-

sion on making decisions about people for office, assistance,

or misconduct. Timothy is told that judging the qualifications

of men and women is not an impossible task because both sin

and good deeds are sometimes conspicuous, and when not,

they will be so eventually. Therefore, delay may be necessary

in making some decisions. See verse 22.

There are always three classes: those whose life record is

clearly unworthy of sacred trust, those whose character invites

trust, and those who keep you wondering about their real loy-

alty. For the last class, many good points could be added up

in their favor, but the discriminating observer also recognizes

that there is inconsistency, that their good works and a peace-

able spirit cannot be relied on for all occasions. Don't hurry

this group into office until the general tenor of the life can be

more clearly revealed.

Sin has a way of leaving tracks. "Be sure your sin will find

you out." Num. 32: 23. Paul restates this almost matter-of-

factly: "the sins of others appear later." If a person is by-

passed in a church election, or even if a ministerial ordination

is postponed, the true character of that person will be revealed

as time goes on. If quality is there, it will be exposed; but if a

wrong spirit has been present, it cannot be hid.

Possibly the ambiguity will always be there—not bad enough

to censure and not good enough to entrust with sacred office.

Ellen White said of such: "Some men's sins are open before-

hand, confessed in penitence, and forsaken, and they go before-

hand to judgment. Pardon is written over against the names of

these men. But other men's sins follow after, and are not put

away by repentance and confession, and these sins will stand

registered against them in the books of heaven."—Ellen G.

White Comments,

SDA Bible Commentary,

Vol. 7, p. 916.

THINK IT THROUGH



In what way are good deeds conspicuous? Suppose you

want to do good without others knowing about it except the

person helped. What then? Is there not a record in the face

of the one doing good?

"Keep that which is committed to

thy trust, avoiding profane and vain

babblings, and oppositions of sci-

ence falsely so called: which some

professing have erred concerning

the faith." 1 Tim. 6:20, 21.

In this last chapter of his first

letter to Timothy, Paul reverted to

two themes which he stressed fre-

quently in earlier chapters: (1) the

importance of godliness as the test

of genuine faith, and (2) the neces-

sity of sound doctrine.

It is not always easy today to

know what truly comes first—the

life or the doctrine. In the first cen-

tury when Jesus, who was Life as

well as the Word, walked among

men, the blend was perfect. After

Jesus ascended, the success of the

Christian church depended upon

how effectively each member could

blend his life and his words so that

others could believe that something

special and appealing was happen-

ing. The church has been most ef-

fective when this blend of life and

words most nearly reflected the life

and words of Jesus.

The faith experience that kept our

Lord from sinning is the faith that

can keep the life of the Christian

"unstained and free from reproach."

1 Tim. 6:14, RSV. The object of faith

is to keep saying Yes to God. The

fruit of faith is righteousness; or, to

say it another way, the goal of the

Christian is to seek

righteousness

by faith.

The standard of righteous-

ness is "the sound words of our

Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching

which accords with godliness"—the

doctrine that Timothy was to guard

carefully.

Today the church must proclaim

sound doctrine at a time when

much spurious teaching exists. Yet,

because there is so much confusion,

the only way that most people will

pay attention to the genuine is for

the word to come from people who

indeed first have the life that is

genuinely Christian.

LESSON OUTLINE

Morbid Craving for Controversy,

1 Tim. 6:3, 4

Using Religion as a Means to an

End, 1 Tim. 6:5

The Love of Money-1, 1 Tim.

6:9, 10

The Love of Money-2, 1 Tim.

6:17-19

The Good Fight of Faith, 1 Tim.

6:11, 12

Challenge to a Victorious Life,

1 Tim. 6:14

-1-111t)9 3+11

d33>I 01 MO4-I

9 1-0 1 ;sand

NOSS31

How to Keep the Faith

LESSON 7



Sunday

August 10

Part 1

MORBID CRAV-

ING FOR

CONTROVERSY

What reason does Paul give for some rejecting the gospel

and craving religious controversy?

"If any one teaches otherwise and does not agree with

the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching

which accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit, he

knows nothing; he has a morbid craving for controversy and

for disputes about words, which produce envy, dissension,

slander, base suspicions." 1 Tim. 6:3, 4, RSV.

Paul chose his words carefully and boldly. The first motive

which he ascribed to those in the church who teach contrary

to "sound doctrine" (as measured by the "words of our Lord"

and apostolic teaching "which accords with godliness") is

vanity, conceit, and pride. In fact, such a person is not only

conceited, he is really ignorant concerning what he thinks he

knows most about. He has missed the whole point of the life

of faith.

Paul was not only talking about heretics, for there have

always been those within the church who have put more em-

phasis on word battles than on Christlike living. Correct doc-

trine is intended to lead to a godly life. If doctrinal disputes,

about even correct doctrine, take precedence over godly liv-

ing, then the doctrine is misused, and the disputes are afflicted

with a spiritually dangerous and sometimes fatal disease.

But Paul did not here depreciate diligent study and the

need to keep the doctrine pure as the years go by. Often the

need would arise for true soldiers of faith to dispute, in a

Christlike manner, with those who may be improperly handling

the "sound words of our Lord."

THINK IT THROUGH



What is the final test that determines whether a person

has the truth?

profession of faith and the possession of truth in the

soul are two different things. The mere knowledge of truth is

not enough. We may possess this, but the tenor of our thoughts

may not be changed. The heart must be converted and sancti-

fied."—Christ's

Object Lessons,

page 97.

The tragedy set forth in the parable of the bridegroom

(Matthew 25) is that the five foolish bridesmaids were not lost

because they did not know the facts about the advent and the

kind of people their Lord was waiting for. On the contrary,

they possessed the lamp of doctrine even as the five wise—but

the five wise allowed the lamp to be the instrument whereby

the light of truth was reflected in their lives. The five foolish

made the lamp of doctrine into an end in itself.

FURTHER STUDY



Testimonies,

Vol. 3, pp. 570-575.

How to Keep the Faith

LESSON 7



❑

Monday

August 11

Part 2

USING RELIGION

AS A MEANS

TO AN END

What other motivation could impel church members to

make a habit out of controversy in religious matters?

. . and wrangling among men who are depraved in

mind and bereft of the truth, imagining that godliness is a

means of gain." 1 Tim. 6:5, RSV.

A most insidious motivation for many within the church was

to use church employment chiefly for financial security and

personal status rather than an opportunity to work full time

in Christian witness. The motivation here is greed, whereas

others were using their religious activity to puff up their con-

ceit. The two motives are not mutually exclusive. Avaricious

people watch the clock, personal comfort, and the fringe bene-

fits more than they watch for the opportunities, in season and

out, to represent their Lord.

These wrong motivations, in other forms, can be a problem

to the volunteer church worker as well as to the vocational

church worker.

THINK IT THROUGH



Why do you do church work? What personal rewards do

you seek? Is there a time when you may be more concerned

that others think well of you rather than that you can bring

permanent good to persons hungry for truth?

In what way is there gain in godliness? Verse 6.

When godliness

(God-likeness)

is made the objective of all

one's religious activity, there is great gain indeed. The fruits

of the Spirit cannot be bought, but the one possessing them

could hope for nothing more. Pseudogodliness can easily be-

come a means of gain, but such is not the life of peace, joy,

and integrity. Only when godliness is the end, and not the

means to something else, is it even found. "Seek ye first the

kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things

shall be added unto you." Matt. 6:33.

But wise Paul added "with contentment" because he knew

that there are many ways that man can convince himself that

he is godly. However, if he has found genuine contenment,

seeking no additional material advantage, completely indepen-

dent from all outward circumstances, yet completely dependent

upon his Lord, such a person may know the "peace . . . which

passes all understanding," one of the gains of true godliness.

FURTHER STUDY



Testimonies,

Vol. 1, pp. 475, 481, 540-542.

How to Keep the Faith

LESSON 7



❑

Tuesday

August 12

Part 3

THE LOVE

OF MONEY-1

What is the root of all evil and why?

"But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a

snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown

men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is

the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have

erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with

many sorrows." 1 Tim. 6:9, 10.

Nowhere did Paul declare it a crime to own property or to

be rich, any more than he declares it a virtue to be poor. Paul

is against discontentment of mind and soul, whether it be in

the rich or the poor, because real contentment is independent

of either poverty or wealth. See Phil. 4:11-13.

But Paul did fear the special temptations that can over-

whelm the wealthy if they do not maintain a constant guard.

The temptation is always there to use wrong means for further

gain or even to maintain their holdings. Wealth has become a

trap when the whole life is wrapped up in expectations of things

that wealth can provide: new things, visits to new places, and

diversions. Paul calls these "foolish and hurtful lusts" that

plunge men into ruin and destruction.

Paul is being practical, not theoretical; he is recording what

is too often true, examples of which almost everyone has

known.

Money, land, investments become the extension of one's per-

sonality. Frugality, diligence, foresight are commendable vir-

tues and will produce material gain, given the right circum-

stances. But there is something sinister about the human heart

when unconverted—it wants to make itself self-sufficient.

Money in civilized lands is merely the means by which self-

sufficiency is measured. For this reason the "love of money

is the root of all evil." Out of this soul-soil a bitter root grows,

and the end of such growth is a diseased, self-centered spirit.

THINK IT THROUGH



What is there about the craving for riches that leads

people to wander "from the faith"? Jesus used the phrase,

"the deceitfulness of riches." Where is the deceit?

"The love of riches has an infatuating, deceptive power. Too

often those who possess worldly treasure forget that it is God

who gives them power to get wealth. . . . Their riches, instead

of awakening gratitude to God, lead to the exaltation of self."

—Christ's Object Lessons,

page 52.

FURTHER STUDY



Testimonies,

Vol. 1, pp. 479, 482-484.

How to Keep the Faith

LESSON 7



❑

Wednesday

August 13

Part 4

THE LOVE

OF MONEY-2

What counsel did Paul give to his wealthy friends in the

church?

"Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not

highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living

God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; that they do

good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute,

willing to communicate; laying up in store for themselves a

good foundation against the time to come, so that they may

lay hold on eternal life." 1 Tim. 6:17-19.

It has been difficult for Christian churches, it seems, to

deal with wealth. On one hand, some churches have, without

question, in many lands identified with the aristocracy and en-

joyed their favors. On the other, some churches have supported

in varying degrees those who would deny the rights of private

property, almost intimating that a man is sinful or dangerous

if he is wealthy.

Paul fell into neither trap. He knew that circumstances and

individuals vary and that sin itself has something to do with

the distressing inequalities in every period of world history.

Paul's concern was the same as his Lord's: Rich men are

to be condemned only if they put their trust in their wealth and

do not use their opportunities to help others. Furthermore, he

knew that it would be difficult to identify precisely those who

were the rich and the poor, for the next question is obvious:

Compared to whom? Everyone, to some extent, needs to heed

Paul's counsel not "to set their hopes on uncertain riches."

The rich are strongly charged to be humble, not "haughty."

Not only is flaunting money vulgar; for the Christiartit is sinful.

THINK IT THROUGH



Are you taking your material assets seriously? Does it

really matter how much you own? Are there ways in your

life where you can more constructively take Paul's counsel?

"The Bible condemns no man for being rich, if he has ac-

quired his riches honestly. Not money, but the love of money,

is the root of all evil. It is God who gives men power to get

wealth; and in the hands of him who acts as God's steward,

using his means unselfishly, wealth is a blessing, both to its

possessor and to the world. But many, absorbed in their in-

terest in worldly treasures, become insensible to the claims of

God and the needs of their fellow men. They regard their wealth

as a means of glorifying themselves."—The

Ministry of Heal-

ing,

page 212.

FURTHER STUDY



Christ's Object Lessons, "Talents,"

pages 351, 352;

The

Ministry of Healing,

pages 210-213.

How to Keep the Faith

LESSON 7



❑

Thursday

August 14

Part 5

THE GOOD

FIGHT OF FAITH

What higher motivations than conceit and lust for material

possessions did Paul set before Timothy?

"But thou,

man of God, flee these things; and follow

after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meek-

ness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal

life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a

good profession before many witnesses." 1 Tim. 6:11, 12.

Eternal life is again held up before Timothy, not only as

the steady light at the end of the road, but also as a living

reality to be experienced all the way down that road. Grasp

eternal life, don't let go, Paul urges all Christians as does his

colleague, John. See 1 John 5:12.

This quality of life is not given to man without cooperation

and much effort on his part. Christianity is more than a matter

of learning doctrine, or even "leaving it all to Jesus." Indeed,

Jesus will supply all the needed prompting and power to live the

righteous life (that is, the life without sin) but man must choose

to accept this power from above and to fight the power from

below. This is the "good fight of faith."

The Greek is specific: "Keep on contending; make a life

habit of contending." The time will never come, while on earth,

when the Christian can say that he is beyond the possibility of

sinning. Our perfect Lord had to contend with the alternatives

even into Gethsemane; but His victory was always in His will

to choose "Thy will be done." The choice every day is Yes or

No to God. The Christian finds his peace and strength in a daily

Yes to whatever God wants him to do.

THINK IT THROUGH



How do you feel about the thought that the life of faith

is considered as a fight? How else could it be?

"It is no part of His plan that souls shall be sustained in the

battle of life by human sympathy and praise; but He means

that they shall go without the camp, bearing the reproach,

fighting the good fight of faith, and standing in His strength

under every difficulty. God has opened to us all the treasures

of heaven through the precious gift of His Son, who is fully

able to uplift, ennoble, and fit us, through His perfection of

character, for usefulness in this life and for a holy heaven. He

came to our world and lived as He requires His followers to

live. His was a life of self-denial and constant self-sacrifice."

—Testimonies,

Vol. 5, p. 579.

FURTHER STUDY



Christ's Object Lessons,

"Asking to Give," pages 143-149.

How to Keep the Faith

LESSON 7



❑

Friday

August 15

Part 6

CHALLENGE

TO A VICTO-

RIOUS LIFE

What expectation did Paul hold up before Timothy?

"I charge you to keep the commandment unstained and

free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus

Christ." 1 Tim. 6:14, RSV.

The natural bent of even Christians is to think God is ex-

pecting something less than an "unstained" life "free from

reproach" of all who live the life of faith. But God clearly says

that sin and faith are incompatible. Faith says Yes to God

and sin says No.

How can you live a life of victory over sin? Just as Jesus

lived it—by faith. "Jesus revealed no qualities, and exercised

no powers, that men may not have through faith in Him. His

perfect humanity is that which all His followers may possess,

if they will be in subjection to God as He was."—The

Desire

of Ages,

page 664.

This emphasis on the victorious life of faith is a major con-

cern of New Testament writers. God's power to save is not

limited or only half effective. See 1 John 5:4.

Jude said it nicely: "Now unto him that is able to keep you

from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence

of his glory with exceeding joy." Jude 24.

This power to change lives so that sin no longer is in con-

trol is what the good news—the gospel—is all about. Mankind

no longer needs to be shackled by hereditary or cultivated

tendencies to sin. "The gospel is to be presented, not as a

lifeless theory, but as a living force to change the life. God

desires that the receivers of His grace shall be witnesses to

its power. . . . He would have His servants bear testimony to

the fact that through His grace men may possess Christlikeness

of character, and may rejoice in the assurance of His great

love. He would have us bear testimony to the fact that He can-

not be satisfied until the human race are reclaimed and rein-

stated in their holy privileges as His sons and daughters. . . .

"Words alone cannot tell it. Let it be reflected in the char-

acter and manifested in the life. Christ is sitting for His portrait

in every disciple."—The

Desire of Ages,

pages 826, 827.

THINK IT THROUGH



Why must this demonstration of faith be clearly set before

the world before Jesus can come? Do you see a connection

between Revelation 14:12 and this challenge to Timothy?

LESSON U August 17-23

MAKING

CHARACTER

CREDIT TO

DOCTRINE

"Show yourself in all respects a

model of good deeds, and in your

teaching show integrity, gravity, and

sound speech that cannot be cen-

sured." Titus 2:7, 8a, RSV.

The letter to Titus was written

before the second letter to Timothy,

probably between Paul's first and

second imprisonments at Rome,

about A.D. 65.

Titus, like Timothy, had earned

Paul's confidence over the years. In

fact, Paul was very grateful for Titus's

troubleshooting at the time when

the future of the Corinth congrega-

tion seemed to be in the balance.

See 2 Cor. 2:13; 7:6, 7, 13-16;

8:16, 17.

Titus's assignment on Crete was

similar to Timothy's at Ephesus; thus

there is a similarity in counsel. If

there were differences, the record

suggests that Timothy was more

soft, reticent, and gentle; while Titus

seems to be more energetic and

decisive. Both were models of Chrisi

tian behavior, Paul calling each of

them his true child in the faith.

Both Titus and. Timothy were to

strengthen the work of organization

begun by Paul, leave the church in

the hands of responsible,

elders

(verse 5), and move on to the next

area that required their expertise.

As in the Timothy letters, Paul's

instructions emphasized the indis-

soluble triple theme: sound church -

organization, sound doctrine, sound

living. There is a logical order about

these subjects, and Paul develops

them essentially in this order in

this letter to Titus.

Some of the most beautiful pas-

sages in the New Testament are

found in this letter to Titus—a per-

fect blend of theology and practical

counsel. Whenever these two ele-

ments have been separated, the

church has entered hard times.

'LESSON OUTLINE

1. Godliness: The End of Faith and

Doctrine, Titus 1:1-4

How to Refute Error, Titus

1:9,10

The Psychology of Truth and

Error, Titus 1:15,1

/4.



Living a Life That Honors Truth

—1,

Titus 2:1-3



Living a Life That Honors Truth

—2,

Titus 2:4-6

Living Models of God's Way,

Titus 2:7, 8,10

Making Character a Credit to Doctrine

LESSON 8



❑

Sunday

August 17

Part 1

GODLINESS: THE

END OF FAITH

AND DOCTRINE

What is the chief end of faith and knowledge?

"Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ,

to further the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of

the truth which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal

life which God, who never lies, promised ages ago and at

the proper time manifested in his word through the preach-

ing with which I have been entrusted by command of God

our Savior; to Titus, my true child in a common faith." Titus

1:1-4, RSV.

Paul's consistency and foresight in handling this letter to

Titus revealed his understanding of the task that they both

faced. After Paul left Crete, when others joined the congre-

gation who thus were not present when Titus was appointed

to leadership, the question of authority would surely arise. This

letter constituted Titus's credentials, providing great authority

for the strong counsel that Paul gave in specific areas.

The Greek word, here translated "knowledge," refers to

the understanding that comes through experience. More than

mere theological information is meant. "Man's advantages for

obtaining a knowledge of the truth .. . will prove of no benefit

to him unless the heart is open to receive the truth, and there

is a conscientious surrender of every habit and practice that

is opposed to its principles. To those who thus yield themselves

to God, having an honest desire to know and to do His will,

the truth is revealed as the power of God for their salvation."

—The Desire of Ages,

pages 455, 456.

In his salutation Paul keeps the priorities straight and the

uniqueness of Christianity clear. The Cretans seemed to have

had their share of theological speculators and philosophical

charlatans (1:9-16). The whole point of Christianity, the theme

that permeates all of Paul's epistles, is that God wants to con-

demn "sin in the flesh" (Rom. 8:3) by developing the life of

faith that produces godliness (God-likeness).

THINK IT THROUGH



Am I living up to all the knowledge I now have? Do I note

that the desire to study spiritual matters is closely linked

with my willingness to apply the truth

already know in my

daily experience?

FURTHER STUDY

"A knowledge of the truth depends not so much upon

strength of intellect as upon pureness of purpose, the simplicity

of an earnest, dependent

faith."—Christ's Object Lessons,

page 59.

Christ's Object Lessons,

"The Sower Went Forth to Sow,"

pages 58-61.

Making Character a Credit to Doctrine

LESSON 8



❑

Monday

August 18

Part 2

HOW TO

REFUTE ERROR

How is error to be met in the Christian church?

"He [the bishop] must hold firm to the sure word as taught,

so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine

and also to confute those who contradict it. For there are

many insubordinate men, empty talkers and deceivers . . . ;

they must be silenced." Titus 1:9, 10, RSV.

Here Paul amplifies what he had said regarding elders in

Timothy's instruction, that is, "apt to teach." 1 Tim. 3:2. In addi-

tion to a character beyond reproach, the elder should be rec-

ognized for his intellectual grasp of the gospel and the chief

arguments against the gospel.

"Some think that an education or a thorough knowledge of

the Scriptures is of little consequence if only a man has the

Spirit. But God never sends His Spirit to sanction ignorance."

—Gospel Workers,

pages 105, 106.

Paul is here concerned, not about open and free discussion

which has always been the atmosphere in which the church

has flourished best, but about deceivers whose end product is

not godliness. Differences of opinion there will always be.

Those who must be silenced are those whose teachings lead

to lowered ethical standards and worldly accommodation.

The most effective method to silence such disrupters who

would tailor the church after their own image is to let truth

be seen in its simplicity and adequacy. The authority of truth

is far more impressive than the authority of mere office.

"We are on dangerous ground when we cannot meet to-

gether like Christians, and courteously examine 'controverted

points. I feel like fleeing from the place lest I receive the mold

of those who cannot candidly investigate the doctrines of the

Bible.

"Those who cannot impartially examine the evidences of a

position that differs from theirs, are not fit to teach in any de-

partment of God's

cause."—Selected Messages,

Bk. 1, p. 411.

What is the objective of such forthright refuting? Verse 13.

All church discipline is aimed at the restoration of the de-

linquent members to fellowship.

THINK IT THROUGH



What is the best way to silence those who disagree with

me? Is the quickest way the best? Why?

Making Character a Credit to Doctrine

LESSON 8



❑

Tuesday

August 19

Part 3

THE PSYCHOLOGY

OF TRUTH

AND ERROR

Why is sin self-deceiving?

"Unto the pure all things are pure: but to them that are

defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind

and conscience is defiled. They profess that they know God;

but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobe-

dient, and unto every good work reprobate." Titus 1:15, 16.

A very helpful psychological truth is here emphasized: When

the heart (or spirit of man) is right with God, contact with what

man

has declared unclean cannot make the pure in heart im-

pure. Conversely, when the heart is not right with God, no

amount of religious activity can make the heart pure. See

Matt. 15:10-20.

The Greek word for "unbelieving" would better be trans-

lated "those without faith." The man of faith discerns truth and

error because he has his eye on the

external

word of Scripture

and his heart open to the

internal

word of the Spirit.

The kind of knowledge these teachers (without faith) have

is different than the knowledge learned by "God's elect." Titus

1:1. These church members without genuine faith possess only

information. It never seems to get to the heart so that the life

is changed.

"Many profess to know God, and yet deny Him in their

works. They reckon themselves among God's peculiar, chosen

people, who have a special, solemn message entrusted to their

keeping to sanctify their lives and to give to the world, and

yet the power of the truth is scarcely felt or manifested in our

midst in zealous work for God. . . .

"What greater delusion can deceive the human mind than

that in which individuals flatter themselves that they have the

truth, that they are on the only sure foundation, and that God

accepts their works because they are actively engaged in

some work in the cause of God, when they are sinning against

Him by walking contrary to the expressed will of God? They

work mechanically, like machinery; but preparation of heart,

the sanctification of the character, is

wanting."—Testimonies

to Ministers,

page 451.

THINK IT THROUGH



Do I spend time thinking up reasons why I do not need to

put away sinful habits? What excuses do I have for my sins?

FURTHER STUDY



Testimonies,

Vol. 1, p. 406; Vol. 2, pp. 125, 444, 682.

Making Character a Credit to Doctrine

LESSON 8



❑

Wednesday

August 20

Part 4

LIVING A LIFE

THAT HONORS

TRUTH-1

How does Paul connect doctrine and behavior?

"But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:

that the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith,

in charity, and in patience. The aged women likewise, that

they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers,

not given to much wine, teachers of good things." Titus 2:1-3.

Paul never tires of this theme that is stressed many times

in his letters to Timothy and Titus—the truth of the gospel will

refine a person, both in character and in the externals that

reveal his character.

"The truth should be presented in a manner which will make

it attractive to the intelligent mind. . . . How important that

the cause of truth be stripped of everything like a false and

fanatical excitement, that the truth may stand upon its own

merits, revealing its native purity and exalted character.

"The truth of God will never degrade but will elevate the

receiver, refine his taste, sanctify his judgment, and perfect him

for the company of the pure and holy angels in the kingdom

God."—Testimonies,

Vol. 1, pp. 414, 415.

Older men and women in the congregation are here given

specific counsel. Paul chooses his words carefully. "Temper-

ate," for example, is a translation of a Greek word that means

self-mastery. Excess, although not to be condoned, may be

understood easier when observed in youth. But adult Christians

give evidence of their real maturity when they consistently

exhibit self-control in physical, mental, and emotional behavior.

Older women are specifically counselled to be examples of

reverent behavior, as befitting sacred persons (as the Greek

clearly states). Such recognition of women was a new day in

the world and provided the basis for the elevation of woman-

hood by the Christian church as time passed.

Christian women, whose children may be grown, have a sec-

ond responsibility almost as great—the training by example

and precept of the young women in the church.

THINK IT THROUGH



Does my dress, my speech, my home, my choice of TV

programs and books, et cetera, reflect the quality of the

truth that I profess?

FURTHER STUDY



The Ministry of Healing,

pages 493-496.

Making Character a Credit to Doctrine

LESSON 8



❑

Thursday

August 21

Part 5

LIVING A LIFE

THAT HONORS

TRUTH-2

What special counsel does Paul give young women and

men?

"Train the young women to love their husbands and chil-

dren, to be sensible, chaste, domestic, kind, and submissive

to their husbands, that the word of God may not be dis-

credited. Likewise urge the younger men to control them-

selves." Titus 2:4-6, RSV.

An interesting feature of Paul's counsel is that he delegates

to the older women in the church, not to Titus, the task of train-

ing the young women. Male counsel might be helpful to a de-

gree, but genuine Christian women older in years should be

the most effective in helping young women establish their

homes so that they are a credit to the church in the commu-

nity.

The young married women should be devoted to their hus-

bands and children. Some will have great difficulty understand-

ing Paul's counsel, thinking that such an appeal for domestic

leadership would be restricting their rights as persons. But

Paul's words here have often been understood only after great

regret.

The attribute, "domestic," emphasizes the high stress placed

on the wife and mother as the queen of the home. Proverbs 31

comes to mind.

Paul's fullest presentation regarding the relationship of

Christian wife and husband is found in Ephesians 5:22, 23; he

wants no mistake made—Christianity does not alter the mar-

riage relationship—only enhances it.

Paul's counsel to younger men seems brief, but not so when

we think of the extended counsel to Titus and to Timothy who

were to be living models for young men in their churches.

Self-mastery is the goal set for all; the sooner it is learned, the

happier that person will be.

THINK IT THROUGH



How much care do I devote to finding self-mastery? Am I

more often the solution seeker or the problem maker when

something goes wrong at home or work?

"Forbearance and unselfishness mark the words and acts of

all who live the new life in Christ. As you seek to live His life,

striving to conquer self and selfishness and to minister to the

needs of others, you will gain victory after victory. Thus your

influence will bless the world."—The

Ministry of Healing,

page

362.

FURTHER STUDY



The Ministry of Healing,

pages 356-362.

Making Character a Credit to Doctrine

LESSON 8



❑

Friday

August 22

Part 6



Why should Titus and every other church member be a

LIVING MODELS

model of good behavior?

OF GOD'S WAY



"Show yourself in all respects a model of good deeds, and

in your teaching show integrity, gravity, and sound speech

that cannot be censured, so that an opponent may be put to

shame, having nothing evil to say of us." "So that in every-

thing they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior." Titus

2:7, 8, 10, RSV.

The unbelieving world has the right to expect something

exceptionally different and distinctly better from those who

proclaim that they have the only gospel and know the world's

only Saviour.

The Greek construction emphasizes that Titus has already

been a good model, and that he should "keep on" being such.

Probably the best lesson that could be taught in pagan Crete

would be the living model of young Titus; self-restrained man-

hood is always a welcome sight.

Every Christian is being closely watched by the youth and

others, in the church and without. Opponents of the truth are

undone when they are up against a life-style that indeed reflects

"integrity, gravity, and sound speech." The world is waiting,

not primarily for new methods or even a new message, but new

men.

THINK IT THROUGH



How seriously do I consider my speech, my everyday con-

versation, to be an index of my character?

"As followers of Christ we should make our words such as

to be a help and an encouragement to one another in the

Christian life. Far more than we do, we need to speak of the

precious chapters in our experience. We should speak of the

mercy and loving-kindness of God, of the matchless depths of

the Saviour's love. Our words should be words of praise and

thanksgiving. If the mind and heart are full of the love of God,

this will be revealed in the conversation. It will not be a difficult

matter to impart that which enters into our spiritual life. Great

thoughts, noble aspirations, clear perceptions of truth, unself-

ish purposes, yearnings for piety and holiness, will bear fruit

in words that reveal the character of the heart treasure. When

Christ is thus revealed in our speech, it will have power in

winning souls to

Him."—Christ's Object Lessons,

page 338.

FURTHER STUDY



Christ's Object Lessons, "Talents,"

pages 335-342.

LESSON 9 August 24-30

MEC FRUITAGE

OF GRACE

"For the grace of God has ap-

peared for the salvation of all men."

Titus 2:11, RSV.

Paul's theological insight and skill

in proclaiming what he had learned

is perhaps never clearer than in the

lessons to be studied this week. He

combined the two great focal points

of Christian doctrine—the first and

second advents of Jesus. In Fns first

coming our Lord demonstrated the

kind of life He now expects all His

followers to live; at

is second com-

ing He will welcome into His king-

dom those who have trained them-

selves to follow His example. See

Titus 2:12,13. At His first coming

He made clear that God makes the

first move toward man, that love

does not wait for lovable objects

before there is an invitation to share

fellowship; at His second coming

He will open wide the gate to eter-

nal life for those who have been

"zealous for good deeds." Titus

2:14. In other words, the seeds of

the kingdom planted at His first

coming will be harvested at His

second coming.

The fruitage of His grace, the

harvest of a people who have al-

lowed the seeds of Christlikeness

to mature in their lives, is the glor-

ious vindication of God's wisdom

and government. He will have dem-

onstrated through this harvest from

earth that His way has

been best

and that all who have followed His

way are indeed the happiest, nicest,

healthiest people that earth could

produce.

The time of His second coming

will depend upon how soon that

harvest will mature. "'When the

fruit is brought forth, immediately

he putteth in the sickle, because the

harvest is come.' Christ is waiting

with longing desire for the mani-

festation of Himself iri His church.

When the character of:Christ shall

be perfectly reproduced in His peo-

ple, then He will come to claim

them as His own."—"Christ's Object

Lessons," page 69.

LESSON OUTLINE

Grace Provides Reason for Hope,

Titus 2:11-13

Grace Disposes of the Sin Prob-

lem, Titus 2:14

Grace Is Practical, Titus 2:15

to 3:2

Godhead United in Grace, Titus

3:4-6

Grace. Restores Right Relation-

ships, Titus 3:7, 8

Grace Revealed in Changed

Lives, Titus 3:8, 14

The Fruitage of Grace

LESSON 9



❑

Sunday

August 24

Part 1

GRACE PROVIDES

REASON

FOR HOPE

Do all men have an opportunity to be saved?

"For the grace of God has appeared for the salvation of

all men, training us to renounce irreligion and worldly pas-

sions, and to live sober, upright, and godly lives in this world,

awaiting our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our

great God and Savior Jesus Christ." Titus 2:11-13, RSV.

It is difficult to understand how the perverted doctrine of

predestination and kindred errors arose in view of this text and

others such as John 1:9 and 1 Timothy 2:3-6. "The Spirit of

God is freely bestowed to enable every man to lay hold upon

the means of salvation. . . . Men fail of salvation through their

own willful refusal of the gift of life."—The

Great Controversy,

page 262. Every person in his quiet, honest moments will ac-

knowledge that the light of a better way to live has often flashed

in his life.

The light that grace brings to the heart opens up a way of

life that is contrary to selfish indulgence. It says No to all

that is self-centered and this-world oriented. It says Yes to a

totally different life-style which is characterized by self-mastery,

piety, and harmony with God's expectations.

This dramatic triumph of grace is motivated in part by the

happy hope that Jesus is returning to this earth and will invite

all those who have been changed by grace to live in His king-

dom. The return of Jesus is the double blessing adding to the

rewards a godly life provides even in this life.

The Greek is colorful: "Make a habit of watching." Keeping

the return of Jesus ever before us will provide proper perspec-

tive as we go about our daily decision making.

THINK IT THROUGH



Is my life very different from the respectable people

around me who do not include the return of Jesus in their

thinking? Is my difference in the world more a matter of

words than of behavior?

"While you .. . have been forward to engage in controversy

with others upon points of our faith, without an exception you

have been asleep in reference to those things which pertain

to Christianity. You are not even dreaming of the perilous posi-

tion you

occupy."—Testimonies,

Vol.

p. 332.

FURTHER STUDY



Testimonies,

Vol. 3, pp. 51-53.

The Fruitage of Grace

LESSON 9



❑

Monday

August 25

Part 2

GRACE DISPOSES

OF THE SIN

PROBLEM

Did Jesus come to save us in our sins or from our sins?

"Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from

all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zeal-

ous of good works." Titus 2:14.

These few words summarize how God intends to dispose of

the sin problem. He will not pretend we're good when we really

aren't. In the last analysis those who truly want their sins for-

given will be those who have forsaken them.

"The religion of Christ means more than the forgiveness of

sin; it means taking away our sins, and filling the vacuum with

the graces of the Holy Spirit. . . . When Christ reigns in the

soul, there is purity, freedom from sin. The glory, the fullness,

the completeness of the gospel plan is fulfilled in the life."—

Christ's Object Lessons,

pages 419, 420.

The chief purpose of Christ's incarnation was to prove that,

even after thousands of years of sin, men and women could

live without sin by the power of the indwelling Spirit. His per-

fect life in human flesh broke the spell of Satan. No longer

could Satan claim that God was asking too much from His

creation.

Further, Jesus promised all men that if they would place

their trust in Him, He would help them to be purified from all

iniquity. Ellen White wrote: "He did not consent to sin. Not

even by a thought did He yield to temptation. So it may be with

us. Christ's humanity was united with divinity; He was fitted

for the conflict by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. And He

came to make us partakers of the divine nature. So long as

we are united to Him by faith, sin has no more dominion over

us. God reaches for the hand of faith in us to direct it to lay

fast hold upon the divinity of Christ, that we may attain to

perfection of character."—The

Desire of Ages,

page 123.

THINK IT THROUGH



Have I made Christ's sacrifice worthwhile? Has He really

redeemed me from all iniquity?

"The world needs a practical demonstration of what the

grace of God can do in restoring to human beings their lost

kingship, giving them mastery of themselves. There is nothing

that the world needs so much as a knowledge of the gospel's

saving power revealed in Christlike lives."—The

Ministry of

Healing,

pages 132, 133.

FURTHER STUDY



Steps to Christ,

"Growing Up Into Christ," pages 67-72.

The Fruitage of Grace

LESSON 9



❑

Tuesday

August 26

Part 3

GRACE IS

PRACTICAL

How serious is Paul regarding the quality life expected

Christians?

"Declare these things; exhort and reprove with all author-

ity. Let no one disregard you. Remind them to be submissive

to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for any

honest work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to

be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all men." Titus

2:15 to 3:2, RSV.

Paul's command to the church is to "declare . . . ; exhort

and reprove. . . . Let no one disregard you." The church must

be kept pure if the young within are to have good reason to

stay in. Otherwise, the lack of integrity and courage to call

sin by its right name will confuse them, causing some to feel

that there is no place except within their own feelings where

they can decide right from wrong.

Paul reminds Titus that Christians have civic responsibili-

ties; that Christians, in applying Christ's way of life, should be

examples of right conduct to those outside the church, begin-

ning with civil officials.

"It is not wise to find fault continually with what is done by

the rulers of government. It is not our work to attack individ-

uals or institutions. We should exercise great care lest we be

understood as putting ourselves in opposition to the civil au-

thorities....

"We should not work in a manner that will mark us out as

seeming to advocate treason. We should weed out from our

writings and utterances every expression, that, taken by itself,

could be so misrepresented as to make it appear antagonistic

to law and order. Everything should be carefully considered,

lest we place ourselves on record as encouraging disloyalty

to our country and its

laws."—Testimonies,

Vol. 6, p. 394.

THINK IT THROUGH



Do I seek for ways to assist others in providing commu-

nity services? Or do I receive more from others than I put in

personally? Am I known for being courteous and constructive?

"You [our ministers] may be true to principle, you may be

just, honest, and religious; but with it all you must cultivate

true tenderness of heart, kindness, and courtesy. If a person is

in error, be the more kind to him; if you are not courteous, you

may drive him away from

Christ."—Testimonies to Ministers,

page 150.

FURTHER STUDY



Christ's Object Lessons, "Like

Unto Leaven," pages 100-102.

The Fruitage of Grace

LESSON 9



❑

Wednesday

August 27

Part 4

GODHEAD

UNITED IN

GRACE

How do all members of the Godhead cooperate in saving

man?

"But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our

Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of deeds done by

us in righteousness, but in virtue of his own mercy, by the

washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit, which

he poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior."

Titus 3:4-6, RSV.

The loving-kindness of God is in contrast to the malice,

envy and hatred that dominates the unconverted man (verse 3).

The only logical response when a person learns of Him is the

life of faith that breaks forth in obedience to all that God wants

him to do. See Titus 2:12.

This God appeared to men. He wasn't thought up by wise

men, nor does He pervade nature so that it is as natural as

breathing to think religious thoughts. God is a Person who has

made many contacts with mankind, the chief encounter being

the incarnation.

Paul summarized the cooperation of the Godhead by noting

the historical witness of Jesus and the internal work of the

Holy Spirit. The historical, external witness is joined with the

always current, internal witness, joining the head and the heart

in unshakable conviction. See John 15:26.

God does not wait for any man to make the first move. God's

love comes first, awakening the response of faith. Both the

miracle of regeneration (second birth) and the renewing process

that lasts until every un-Christlike habit is completely worked

out of the life are results of the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.

Man's task is to cooperate, willing every day to conform his

choices to the will of God.

THINK IT THROUGH



Have I allowed God to do everything that He has wanted

to do in my life? Am I completely renewed?

"His love received, will make us, in like manner, kind and

tender, not merely toward those who please us, but to the

most faulty and erring and sinful.

"The children of God are those who are partakers of His

nature. It is not earthly rank, nor birth, nor nationality, nor re-

ligious privilege, which proves that we are members of the

family of God; it is love, a love that embraces all humanity."

—Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,

page 75.

FURTHER STUDY



The Desire of Ages,

pages 664-670.

The Fruitage of Grace

LESSON 9



❑

Thursday

August 28



Part 5



If grace is not thwarted, where will it finally lead any

GRACE RE-

person who receives it?

STORES RIGHT



RELATIONSHIPS



"So that we might be justified by his grace and become

heirs in hope of eternal life. The saying is sure." Titus 3:7, 8a,

RSV.

As a result of the Holy Spirit's work in the new birth and

the beginning of a new life (new creation, 2 Cor. 5:17), the

new Christian stands as a restored son in the family of God.

He is now in the right relation with his Father when before

he was in a "far country."

Being a restored son makes him also an heir, looking for-

ward to the day when the inheritance will indeed be his.

What part does faith play when man is justified by grace?

Eph. 2:8.

"Faith is the condition upon which God has seen fit to prom-

ise pardon to sinners; not that there is any virtue in faith

whereby salvation is merited, but because faith can lay hold

of the merits of Christ, the remedy provided for sin."—Ellen

G. White Comments,

SDA Bible Commentary,

Vol. 6, p. 1073.

What is the real test that genuine faith has truly allowed

grace to have its way?

"Justification by faith in Christ will be made manifest in

transformation of character. This is the sign to the world of

the truth of the doctrines we profess. The daily evidence that

we are a living church is seen in the fact that we are prac-

ticing the Word. A living testimony goes forth to the world in

consistent Christian action."—Ellen G. White Comments,

SDA

Bible Commentary,

Vol. 6, p. 1071.

THINK IT THROUGH



What is the evidence I have that I have been justified by

grace? Am I more of a renewed person today than I was a

year ago?

In order that his personal witness about justification would

not be misunderstood, Paul emphatically concluded: "The

saying is sure." See 1 Tim. 1:15; 3:1; 4:9; 2 Tim. 2:11. This

should be the quiet, dynamic witness that every Christian, by

speech and life, can tell to his child or to his nonbelieving

neighbor.The peace promised when a man is in the right rela-

tion with God (Rom. 5:1) is one of the blessings that confirms

this great truth.

FURTHER STUDY



Christ's Object Lessons,

"Lost, and Is Found," pages 198-

206.



The Fruitage



of Grace

LESSON 9



❑

Friday

August



Part 6



What relationship does Paul always maintain between be-

GRACE RE-

lief and works?

VEALED IN



CHANGED LIVES



"I desire you to insist on these things, so that those who

have believed in God may be careful to apply themselves to

good deeds; these are excellent and profitable to men."

"Let our people learn to apply themselves to good deeds,

so as to help cases of urgent need, and not to be unfruitful."

Titus 3:8, 14, RSV.

Paul will soar in theological explanation of what God has

done for man, but he never forgets the earthly reality of man's

responsibility in accepting grace. God does not force grace on

anyone. He will only stand at the door and knock. His purpose

is to assist man in changing his ways; man's part is to will to

change, and God's part is to provide the power to change.

Grace is inoperative where there is no faith that leads to

good works. There is more to Christianity than "only believe."

"The religion of Christ is something more than talk. The

righteousness of Christ consists in right actions and works

from pure, unselfish motives. Outside righteousness, while the

inward adorning is wanting, will be of no

avail."—Testimonies,

Vol. 3, p. 528.

The object of sowing gospel seed is to produce a harvest—

a fruitful response of people who have allowed the truth to

assume complete control in their habit patterns.

"The divine Husbandman looks for a harvest as the reward

of His labor and sacrifice. Christ is seeking to reproduce Him-

self in the hearts of men; and He does this through those who

believe in Him. The object of the Christian life is fruit bearing

—the reproduction of Christ's character in the believer, that

it may be reproduced in others."—Christ's

Object Lessons,

page 67.

THINK IT THROUGH



Am I a living exhibit of the gracious power of God?

Would people believe that God is omnipotent and loving by

observing my life? Or does my life stand out enough so that

others would even ask those questions?



FURTHER STUDY



Steps to Christ,

"Growing Up Into Christ," pages 73-75.

"That good thing which was com-

mitted unto thee keep by the Holy

Ghost which dwelleth in us." 2 Tim.

1:14.

The second letter to Timothy is

not a continuation of the first; in

fact it is very different. It has been

called Paul's "last will and testa-

ment." Probably there is no other

New Testament letter that is so

charged with tenderness; its appeal

throbs through the four chapters.

No longer is Paul the dauntless mis-

sionary roaming the lands of the

Mediterranean. He writes this letter

from a damp, filthy Roman prison,

knowing that his time on earth is

very short.

Apparently he is alone except for

faithful Luke. Paul, the great apostle,

to whom thousands owed hope and

life, alone. Where were those who

owed him a great debt? But out of

that human distress, when the light

flickered, came this tremendous

affirmation of faith that has cheered

countless thousands, perhaps mil-

lions, in the centuries since. He

wants Timothy to hurry to his side;

he longed for his companion of

many miles and many crises.

The clouds were gathering over

the young Christian church. Heart-

less Nero had blamed the Christians

for starting the holocaust that devas-

tated much of Rome. Hatred, suspi-

cion, and persecution awaited Chris-

tians everywhere. How would these

young churches stand up under

these potentially crushing events?

Soon there would be no Paul to

gain strength from and to tell them

what to do.

Paul did what he could. He wrote

this remarkable letter on the eve of

his execution. Place yourself in Tim-

othy's position—or in the place of

any lonely missionary surrounded by

unappreciative multitudes, or that of

a lonely Christian torn by anxiety

by living with a family that does not

understand. This letter has kept

many such heroes of the cross buoy-

ant under great distress, strength-

ened to renew their effort, even

triumphant when death seemed

near. Many have read these chap-

ters with a sob in the throat.

LESSON OUTLINE

Portrait of a Veteran, 2 Tim.

1:1-3

Portrait of a Beloved Disciple,

2 Tim. 1:5

A Powerful Gospel, 2 Tim.

1:8-10

Reality of Personal Knowledge,

2 Tim. 1:11,12

Responsibility of Faith, 2 Tim.

1:13, 14

Shadows Before Noonday,

2 Tim. 1:15-18

LESSON 10 August 31-September 6

GUARDING TFEC

TRUTH-

Guarding the Truth

LESSON 10



❑

Sunday

August 31

Part 1

PORTRAIT OF

A VETERAN

What simple fact anchored Paul during this dreary moment

in his life?

"Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, ac-

cording to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, to

Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace,

from God the Father and Christ Jesus

our

Lord. I thank God

whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that

without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers

night and day." 2 Tim. 1:1-3.

Truly a matchless farewell! How would you have addressed

your beloved friend for the last time?

Here was Paul, humiliated by men, in a dreary dungeon re-

served for criminals, yet he held his head high—he was still

an apostle of our Lord Jesus. No Nero could take that away

from him.

The essence of the gospel is chiseled here in few words—

"the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus." Sin had opened

the door to death. Everything about sin destroys. The end of

sin is bitterness even though the first sip may be exhilarating.

But the good news about Jesus is that He is Life, and He came

to give man life "more abundantly." John 10:10. This life

changes man

now,

gives him a whole new reason to live

now,

gives him new energy and new hope in this life. But there is

life beyond—a thought very high on Paul's mind at that mo-

ment. The end was near for Paul but not really; the promise of

his Lord was that there was eternal life ahead.

What prayerful wish does Paul ask for Timothy? Verse 2.

Paul's tender prayer for Timothy sums up the blessedness

of genuine Christian living: Grace, mercy, and peace to you,

dear Timothy. Only in his two letters to Timothy does Paul

unite these three terms. They are ready to be enjoyed by any-

one who, like Timothy, is committed to God the Father and

Christ Jesus our Lord.

THINK IT THROUGH



When I am in a difficult place, lonely and perhaps mis-

understood, do I find reason to give thanks as did Paul?

Paul is no complainer. He lets the happy memories that line

life's hallway flood over the present. He recounts the occasions

wherein he and Timothy have seen the intervening hand of

God. He has seen new churches spring up out of unlikely

places. He has seen young men dream and hope when they

had lost their courage before Jesus came into their lives.

Every Christian should be lining the hall of memory now so

that there will be many occasions to give thanks in the days

ahead.

FURTHER STUDY



The Acts of the Apostles,

pages 498-500.

Guarding the Truth

LESSON 10



Monday

September I

Part 2

PORTRAIT OF

A BELOVED

DISCIPLE

What is the common bond that tied Paul, Timothy, and

Timothy's family together?

"When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is

in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy

mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also." 2 Tim.

1:5.

Here Paul is saying that every person is, to a large extent,

the product of his family background. That is why a good biog-

raphy does not begin with the featured person's birth but with

the parents and grandparents as well.

Paul thanks God for his own parents (verse 3) who must

have taught him well regarding the God of Israel; he now

recognizes in Timothy the same faith that animated Lois and

Eunice. Faith is a total life response to God. It can best be

taught by example. How grateful both Paul and Timothy were

to their parents.

The bond between Paul and Timothy, between the aged

veteran and the stalwart younger disciple, was their common

faith. They recognized this "sincere," unpretending faith in

each other, and mutual confidence was the result.



THINK IT THROUGH



Am I doing all that I can to transmit faith to those who

are closest to me? Is it easy for them to have faith in God by

watching how I live?

Without actually stating the fact, how could Paul emphasize

more the importance of parental responsibility and privilege?

Paul points every child or recipient of faith to the simple fact

that faith is usually a gift which we owe to someone else's

steadfast example.

What kind of spirit did the faith of Paul and Timothy

create? Verse 7.

What a remarkable combination of words—how easy it is

to have power without love, power without self-control, or self-

control without love, et cetera. Paul knew what it took to face

up to earth's toughest challenges and not flinch; he knew how

to turn every difficulty into a way to preach Jesus Christ, by

example if not by word.



FURTHER STUDY



The

Desire of Ages,

page 341.

Guarding the Truth

LESSON 10



❑

Tuesday

September

Part 3

A POWERFUL

GOSPEL

What great facts kept Paul and Timothy from being

ashamed of Jesus?

"Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our

Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflic-

tions of the gospel according to the power of God; who hath

saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according

to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace,

which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

but is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour

Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought

life and immortality to light through the gospel." 2 Tim.

1:8-10.

Paul and Timothy had learned through experience that God

was very near, in peace and crisis. They had seen their own

spirit made bold when faithless men would have capitulated.

They had seen power, love, and self-control develop in their

own character. Such is the greatest proof of the existence and

power of God.

The time may come for every Christian, as it did for Timothy,

when it will be a social disgrace to identify with command-

ment keepers. Paul's call still rings: Join me in suffering dis-

grace if need be because we represent the God of the gospel!

The gospel is the story of Jesus who banished the fear of

death because He demonstrated that He held the keys of the

grave. That is power! The gospel also proclaims that Jesus can

banish those destructive forces that kill the spirit, such as

envy, fear, pride, and covetousness. That is power! Such a

gospel is far more than only the forgiveness of sins.

THINK IT THROUGH



Do I live as though the power of the gospel is real? What

evidence is there in my life that such a God as Paul talks

about truly exists?

"The work of pruning and purifying to fit us for heaven is a

great work and will cost us much suffering and trial, because

our wills are not subjected to the will of Christ. We must go

through the furnace till the fires have consumed the dross and

we are purified and reflect the divine image. . . .

"No cross, no crown. . . . Our Saviour was tried in every

possible way, and yet He triumphed in God continually. It is

our privilege to be strong in the strength of God under all cir-

cumstances and to glory in the cross of

Christ."—Testimonies,

Vol. 3, p. 67.

FURTHER STUDY



The Ministry of Healing,

pages 480-482.

Guarding the Truth

LESSON 10



❑

Wednesday

September 3

Part 4

REALITY

OF PERSONAL

KNOWLEDGE

What was Paul's anchor that empowered him to be such

a remarkable Christian witness?

"For this gospel I was appointed a preacher and apostle

and teacher, and therefore I suffer as I do. But I am not

ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and I am sure

that he is able to guard until that Day what has been en-

trusted to me." 2 Tim. 1:11, 12, RSV.

Paul was not ashamed even when the whole world was cry-

ing, Shame! Why? Because Paul knew something and Someone

that his accusers did not know. That made all the difference.

Even though the preaching of the gospel will always incite op-

position and hatred, the Christian knows that he will get no

better treatment than his Master received.

Paul's religion centered in a Person whom he knew through

experience not merely in information about that Person. "The

one great purpose of his Christian life had been to serve Him

whose name had once filled him with contempt; and from this

purpose no opposition or persecution had been able to turn

him aside. His faith, made strong by effort and pure by sacri-

fice, upheld and strengthened him."—The

Acts of the Apostles,

page 500.

There is some uncertainty regarding the exact meaning of

verse 12: The King James version reads "to keep that which I

have committed unto him against that day." The Greek reads

literally "to guard my deposit unto that day" and could be

referring to something Paul has entrusted to God or something

that God has entrusted to Paul.

The context suggests strongly the latter meaning. God was

able to guard the gospel that Paul above all others had spear-

headed throughout the Mediterranean world.

At this bleak moment when the great teacher was about to

be killed in disgrace, Timothy was reminded that this deposit

of truth was in greater hands than Paul's. Jesus would guard

the preaching of the gospel. Men die, but Jesus guards their

work and hands it to faithful men who carry on until "that

Day" when such labor will be forever over.

THINK IT THROUGH



Do I live as if the gospel's future lies in the hands of men

or in the hands of God? Is there a limit to how much God

can do if men fail Him?

FURTHER STUDY



The Desire of Ages,

pages 822-828.

Guarding the Truth

LESSON 10



❑

Thursday

September 4

Part 5

RESPONSIBILITY

OF FAITH

What did Paul urge Timothy to do?

"Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard

of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. That good

thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost

which dwelleth in us." 2 Tim. 1:13, 14.

Paul knew that the temptation would always be there to

trim the truth, to leave out the unpopular. Why create a crisis?

Paul knew also that this would lead to spiritual defeat and

eventual disaster.

"Sound" words could be literally translated, "healthy"

words. Anything other than Paul's straight, clear teaching

leads to spiritual infection and moral disease.

Although intelligent people know that truth must always be

communicated in a modern way, the "healthy" words of Paul

are still relevant and can be quickly understood. If Paul were

discussing chemistry or astronomy, there would be no ques-

tion regarding the necessity of bringing him up to date. But

Paul is concerned with faith and sin, responsibility and rebel-

lion, and these categories have not changed. Man still needs

a Saviour, not only from the penalty of sin but from its power

as well.

Men, in listening to Paul, could see that his message had

been produced by a brilliant mind and a great heart of love.

Such was Timothy's challenge—to carry on now in Paul's stead,

linking faith and love to a wonderful gospel.

In verse 12 the gospel is considered a valuable treasure,

committed to Paul and now to Timothy, as a great and sacred

trust. So it has been given to everyone who has ever truly

called Jesus Lord. What a trust! How few know how valuable

this knowledge is! How easily this deposit gets marred in the

hands of proud men!

Paul and Timothy had already spent many days contending

with those who considered themselves teachers of the gospel.

"Guard the deposit" has been one of the highest duties resting

on the Christian church for 2,000 years.

The guarding cannot be done in human wisdom alone. Only

the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, can provide the insight and

perseverence such a duty demands.

THINK IT THROUGH



Do I guard the truth so that others are not confused when

they watch my life pattern or hear what I say?

FURTHER STUDY



The

Great Controversy,

pages 593-598.

Guarding the Truth

LESSON 10



❑

Friday

September 5

Part 6

SHADOWS

BEFORE

NOONDAY

What disappointment did Paul face in his closing days?

"This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be

turned away from me, of whom are Phygellus and Hermo-

genes. The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for

he oft refreshed me. . .. The Lord grant unto him that he may

find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things

he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well."

2 Tim. 1:15-18.

Paul knew the pain of humiliation by enemies and rejec-

tion by brethren. Because he could write with such candor and

courage, many thousands in the years to follow have been

made strong as they were reminded of his spiritual resources.

Jesus understood what it meant to be forsaken by professed

followers. See John 6:66; Mark 14:50.

The glimpse of Onesiphorus is refreshing and worthy of

much study. When he heard of Paul's plight, his family appar-

ently made it possible for Onesiphorus to leave their Ephesus

home and make his way to troubled Rome. Paul had done so

much for them—it was now their turn.

Far from being ashamed of Paul's predicament, he searched

from Christian to Christian until he discovered where Paul had

been imprisoned. Somehow he managed to get through, risking

all the hazards that could easily have befallen him as he iden-

tified himself with Paul, indicted as a criminal.

Paul did not forget such mercies, and he wanted Timothy

to do all he could for this man's family back in Ephesus. More

than that, Paul's prayer was that Onesiphorus would be granted

a merciful entrance into the kingdom of our Lord "in that day."

For Paul "that day" was about all he had left to look forward

to. How many Christians in the centuries that followed took

courage because of Paul's courage and the gospel that he

faithfully proclaimed.

True friendship cannot be bought; it lasts through hardship,

suffering, and disgrace.

THINK IT THROUGH



How reliable has my friendship been to those who have

been wrongfully spoken against? Have I treated with mercy

those who have borne the heat of the day?

FURTHER STUDY



The Acts of the Apostles,

pages 489-491.

"No man that warreth entangleth

himself with the affairs of this life;

that he may please him who hath

chosen him to be a soldier." 2 Tim.

2:4.

Paul had learned many basic prin-

ciples about how the gospel can be

best proclaimed. He had learned

through experience what not to do

as well as what is most effective. He

had learned that "argument, even

when unanswerable, may provoke

only opposition; but a godly exam-

ple has a power that it is impossible

wholly to resist."—"The Acts of the

Apostles," page 511. In this second

chapter of the last letter he would

write before his execution he

stressed the importance of quality

control as the gospel treasure is

passed on from one generation to

another.

He made it clear that every gen-

uine Christian will suffer misunder-

standing and outright hardship,

even as had his Lord and Paul him-

self. He calls for the fortitude of the

soldier, the discipline of the trained

athlete, and the perseverance of a

good farmer.

He expects no shoddy work from

those who will carry on where he

leaves off. Christianity is not primar-

ily a wonderful feeling but a great

response of complete dedication to

the Lord of glory. This complete

dedication will be evident in the

Christian's fervent attention to self-

development so that he will be

ready for whatever needs may arise

in the work of serving his Lord.

LESSON OUTLINE

The Christian Soldier, 2 Tim.

2:3, 4

The Christian Athlete and

Farmer, 2 Tim. 2:5

The Willing Sufferer, 2 Tim.

2:8-10

The Earnest Student, 2 Tim.

2:14, 15

Evidences of a Pure Heart,

2 Tim. 2:22

The Kindly Teacher, 2 Tim.

2:24, 25

LESSON 11 September 7-13

PORTRAIT OF

lerl AND WOMEN

OF MIME

Portrait of Men and Women of Faith

LESSON 11



❑

Sunday

September 7

Part 1

THE CHRISTIAN

SOLDIER

What are the particular characteristics of a good soldier?

"Take your share of suffering as a good soldier of Christ

Jesus. No soldier on service gets entangled in civilian pur-

suits, since his aim is to satisfy the one who enlisted him."

2 Tim. 2:3, 4, RSV.

In a world where sin abounds suffering is inevitable. Paul,

however, refers to the added suffering that anyone who follows

the example of Jesus will experience. See 3:12.

The comparison of a Christian life with that of a soldier's

suggests that, for both, achievement requires fortitude, often

under distressing circumstances. Soldiers do not expect a safe

or easy time.

The forces of evil do all that is possible to destroy the be-

liever's spirit. These forces do not come labeled as evil; they

may be close loved ones or long-time friends as well as jealous,

conniving associates. Ellen G. White wrote of the youth: "They

should be taught that this world is not a parade ground, but

a battlefield. All are called to endure hardness, as good sol-

diers. . . . Let them be taught that the true test of character

is found in the willingness to bear burdens, to take the hard

place, to do the work that needs to be done, though it brings

no earthly recognition or

reward."—Education,

page 295.

Furthermore, good soldiers concentrate on what they have

committed themselves to do; they are wholly at their com-

manding officer's disposal. In fact, concentration on their main

task would probably do much to protect their own life as well

as those around them. This admonition, directed especially to

the ministry, surely applies to all Christians in the larger sense.

The full-time denominational employee who is wholly con-

secrated to his calling should engage in no outside activities

that drain his energies or his time from the possibilities and

challenges of his task for which he is already paid. See The

Acts of the Apostles,

pages 365, 366.

The nondenominational employee must also sort out the

priorities in his life so that ample time and energy may be de-

voted to his Christian calling.

THINK IT THROUGH



How much time do I devote each week to personal Chris-

tian witnessing? Am I letting the good things of life rob me

of the best that I may be doing?

FURTHER STUDY



Education,

pages 295-297.

Portrait of Men and Women of Faith

LESSON 11



El Monday

September 8

Part 2

THE CHRISTIAN

ATHLETE

AND FARMER

What are the special characteristics of successful athletes?

"An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according

to the rules." 2 Tim. 2:5, RSV.

Paul carries through the concept of fortitude begun in his

soldier illustration. The successful athlete also must win ac-

cording to the rules; he must compete honestly and be so

recognized by his associates.

A successful athlete determines long before he wins his

victories not only that he will abide by the rules during the

contest, but that he will rigorously train by the rules that lead

to success. Great accomplishment is not happenstance; dis-

cipline and personal sacrifice are the predominating aspects

of his life.

"The object of discipline is the training of the child for self-

government. He should be taught self-reliance and self-control.

Therefore as soon as he is capable of understanding, his

reason should be enlisted on the side of obedience. . . . Help

him to see that all things are under law, and that disobedience

leads, in the end, to disaster and suffering."—Education, page

287.

What is the special characteristic of the successful farmer?

Verse 6.

The concepts of fortitude, discipline, and patience are‘car-

ried through from the soldier and athlete. Who questions the

hard work of the farmer on whom all the world depends for

food, and thus life itself?

Paul's spiritual lesson is this: Those who toil to bring salva-

tion to others should be partaking of that salvation themselves.

If Christians are not partaking of this spiritual harvest in their

own lives, their influence will become barren.

"It is our own character and experience that determine our

influence upon others. In order to convince others of the power

of Christ's grace, we must know its power in our own hearts

and lives. The gospel we present for the saving of souls must

be the gospel by which our own souls are saved."—The

Min-

istry of Healing,

page 469.

THINK IT THROUGH



Is my life an example of self-control and perseverance in

pursuit of worthy goals?

FURTHER STUDY



The Desire of Ages,

page 101.

Portrait of Men and Women of Faith

LESSON 11



❑

Tuesday

September



Part 3



What connection do you see between the lessons to be

THE WILLING

learned from the soldier-athlete-farmer illustration and Jesus?



SUFFERER



"Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descended

from David, as preached in my gospel, the gospel for which

I am suffering and wearing fetters, like a criminal. But the

word of God is not fettered. Therefore I endure everything for

the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation

which in Christ Jesus goes with eternal glory." 2 Tim. 2:8-10,

RSV.

The main concept so far in the second letter to Timothy is

that the genuine Christian will face suffering, especially be-

cause he is a Christian. Now Timothy is told (as a parting re-

minder) never to forget our Lord. When you are tempted to

avoid pain and hard times, Paul tells him, remember Jesus

and think again. When you fully understand the experience of

Jesus, then you will realize that Christians are called to suffer

also.

Before the victory, there is the cross! Suffering is the road

to glory. Paul is here speaking not only doctrinally but also

experientially when he holds up Christ's death and resurrec-

tion.

In reference to his Lord's example, Paul included the

thought that Jesus had descended from David. Jesus was not

a make-believe man. Although He mysteriously entered the

human stream, He did become part of the flow of heredity and

faced life as every other baby has had to. "Like every child

of Adam He accepted the results of the working of the great

law of heredity.... He came with such a heredity to share our

sorrows and temptations, and to give us the example of a sin-

less life....

"He [the Father] permitted Him to meet life's peril in com-

mon with every human soul, to fight the battle as every child

of humanity must fight it, at the risk of failure and eternal

loss."—The

Desire of Ages,

page 49.

When Jesus hung on the cross, it seemed that all was lost.

The gospel seemed not only fettered but defeated. When Paul

was locked up in that dismal Roman prison soon to be ex-

ecuted, the gospel seemed doomed. Who could carry on in

Paul's stead? Paul answered the question forthrightly: "The

word of God is not fettered"!

Jesus, Paul, Timothy, and all the others who have suffered

for righteousness' sake through the years have had to leave

the scene—but the gospel moves on in the men and women

of faith.



THINK IT THROUGH



Do I act as if the gospel is unfettered and God still lives

even when hard times come into my life?



FURTHER STUDY



The Acts of the Apostles,

pages 462, 463.

Portrait of Men and Women of Faith

LESSON 11



❑

Wednesday

September 10

Part 4

THE EARNEST

STUDENT

What responsibility rested upon Timothy?

"Remind them of this, and charge them before the Lord to

avoid disputing about words, which does no good, but only

ruins the hearers. Do your best to present yourself to God as

one approved, a workman who has no need to be ashamed,

rightly handling the word of truth." 2 Tim. 2:14, 15, RSV.

There is always the danger that, for some, Christianity

should become a matter of doctrine only. The essentials of

Christianity, for such people, rest in religious information that

can be argued about among those who hold different view-

points. Even arguments that support Biblical truth may fall

short and ruin the hearers if Christianity is left only to the world

of information and logic.

Paul appeals to Timothy to hold high before the young men

whom he will train that God's genuine workmen move from

the head to the heart in "handling the word of truth."

"God requires the training of the mental faculties. He de-

signs that His servants shall possess more intelligence and

clearer discernment than the worldling, and He is displeased

with those who are too careless or too indolent to become

efficient, well-informed workers. The Lord bids us love Him

with all the heart, and with all the soul, and with all the

strength, and with all the mind. This lays upon us the obligation

of developing the intellect to its fullest capacity, that with all

the mind we may know and love our Creator.

"If placed under the control of His Spirit, the more thoroughly

the intellect is cultivated, the more effectively it can be used

in the service of God. . . .

"The Lord desires us to obtain all the education possible,

with the object in view of imparting our knowledge to others.

. . . We should not let slip even one opportunity of qualifying

ourselves intellectually to work for God. . . .

"Self-discipline must be practiced by everyone who would

be a worker for God. This will accomplish more than eloquence

or the most brilliant talents. An ordinary mind, well disciplined,

will accomplish more and higher work than will the most highly

educated mind and the greatest talents without self-control."

—Christ's Object Lessons,

pages 333-335.

THINK IT THROUGH



Am I using all the advantages I have to improve my un-

derstanding of the Bible and my awareness of what is hap-

pening to people today? Do I find myself merely skimming

the surface, hoping to get by?

FURTHER STUDY



Education,

pages 232, 233;

Gospel Workers,

pages 92-95.

Portrait of Men and Women of Faith

LESSON 11



❑

Thursday

September II

Part 5

EVIDENCES OF

A PURE HEART

What are the external evidences of a pure heart?

"Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith,

charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure

heart." 2 Tim. 2:22.

This admonition follows several verses that appeal to every

Christian to be fit vessels for the Master's use. The chief con-

dition, no matter how or where one serves, is that each person

purify

himself—a

personal work is required before that church

member can be useful to others.

The Greek is very instructive: "Keep on fleeing . . . keep

on pursuing." Timothy was not being reprimanded but encour-

aged to maintain his already exemplary life.

The emphasis is not on bodily passions but on a deeper

level where all kinds of unholy passions reside. Think about

those immature passions that beset everybody, regardless of

age, when Jesus is not in control of feelings and ambitions.

With all the advantages that Christians have, there is the pos-

sibility that immature members will yield to the temptations of

pride, conceit, dogmatism, contentiousness, and inordinate

ambition. Keep on fleeing from such immaturity.

We should not make excuses for these sins of immaturity;

we must not negotiate with them or linger in their presence.

We are to flee as Joseph and Mary fled with Jesus from Her-

od's wrath—the same Greek word is used to describe their

haste.

There is a spiritual law about fleeing and pursuing; one

cannot flee sin unless he is actively pursuing righteousness.

Paul described this law in several ways; for example, in Colos-

sians 3 he talks about putting off sinful practices and putting

on the characteristics of Jesus.

There is no other way to please God and have the sanctified

life.

THINK IT THROUGH



Do I pick my friends because they are pursuing righteous-

ness, faith, love, and peace? Are these traits that which

attract others to me?

"Not all who profess to be workers for Christ are true dis-

ciples. Among those who bear His name, and who are even

numbered with His workers, are some who do not represent

Him in character. They are not governed by His principles.

These persons are often a cause of perplexity and discourage-

ment to their fellow workers who are young in Christian experi-

ence; but none need be misled. Christ has given us a perfect

example. He bids us follow Him."—The

Ministry of Healing,

page 493.

FURTHER STUDY



Messages to Young People,

pages 21-26.

Portrait of Men and Women of Faith

LESSON 11



❑

Friday

September 12



Part 6



What characteristics distinguish a person who presents

THE KINDLY

Christianity to others?



TEACHER



"The Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kindly

to every one, an apt teacher, forbearing, correcting his op-

ponents with gentleness." 2 Tim. 2:24, 25, RSV.

Here Paul erects a measuring stick by which the Christian

may measure his Christlikeness in dealing with others. Know-

ing the doctrine is important and basic, but not enough.

The Christlike teacher is not a debater who loves the heat

of battle; in fact, he will avoid a quarrel, knowing that Chris-

tianity wants to win the heart as well as the head. Such a

teacher wins by a sweet reasonableness and a gracious cour-

tesy that disarms his opponent. The Christlike teacher can

do it no other way.

"Those who are handling the great, grand, ennobling truths

of the Word, must ever reveal a spirit deep, earnest, fervent,

but calm and full of sound sense that the mouths of gainsayers

may be stopped.

"Those who are close students of the Word, following Christ

in humility of soul, will not go to extremes. The Saviour never

went to extremes, never lost self-control, never violated the

laws of good taste. He knew when to speak and when to keep

silent. . . . He silenced the voice of the caviling priests by

penetrating beneath the surface and reaching the heart, flash-

ing light into the mind and awakening the conscience."—Gos-

pel Workers,

page 317.

Not being prepared to handle the truth properly is another

form of rudeness. Paul wants Timothy to stress the quality of

teaching skills that every church member should acquire—"apt

to teach."

Being right is important; being right with meekness is in-

dispensable. Such a quality is a result of the "pure heart."

Verse 22.

What is the final goal of Christian teachings? Verse 25,

last part.

Paul says that Christian teachers should do more than an-

swer all opposers and prove them wrong; they are to be brought

to repentance. There is a moral element in believing or reject-

ing truth. Behind the rejection of the gospel there is a rebel

heart unwilling to concede to God.

THINK IT THROUGH



Do I look upon "preaching the truth" as a chance to vin-

dicate my position or as an opportunity to introduce another

to the open arms of Jesus? Do I make it easy for the other to

admit his error?

LESSON 12 September 14-20

AIOIDING

COUNTCRFCIT

FAITFE

"All scripture is given by inspira-

tion of God, and is profitable for

doctrine, for reproof, for correction,

for instruction in righteousness."

2 Tim. 3:16.

In the third chapter of Second

Timothy a sharp comparison is

drawn between genuine and coun-

terfeit faith. On one side stand reli-

gious people who have the form and

not the power; on the other side

stand those whose record of con-

duct, patience, love, and steadfast-

ness reveals the "godly life in Christ

Jesus."

In Paul's day as well as ours, men

and women may enjoy the social re-

wards that usually accompany mem-

bership in the Christian church.

Unfortunately it is very difficult to

identify those who seek the bless-

ings of Christianity apart from its

vital power. They may actually as-

sume leadership in the church, gain

standing in the eyes of many, and,

in so doing, create division and

stress with their counterfeit faith.

Genuine faith can be tested by

comparing its results with the in-

struction offered in the Scriptures

and with the life of Jesus and men

like Paul. Honest seekers for the

truth will be able to detect the ring

of authenticity. In the final analysis,

genuine faith is validated by be-

havior and not merely by what a

person believes.

The persecution that is predicted

for the last generation of Christians

is not arbitrarily set; it will be a

reaction of a world that is uncom-

fortable with honor, integrity, and

love. When the church lives the life

of its Master, then there will be per-

secution that will compare with that

directed at its Master and at His

chief apostle of the first century A.D.

The Christian need not fear in

times of great stress, within or with-

out the church, if he has permitted

the Bible to be profitable to him

"for doctrine, for reproof, for cor-

rection, for instruction in righteous-

ness." 2 Tim. 3:16.

LESSON OUTLINE

Form Without Power, 2 Tim.

3:1-5

Counterfeit Faith, 2 Tim. 3:6-9

Genuine Faith, 2 Tim. 3:10-12

Scriptures, the Basis of Truth,

2 Tim. 3:14, 15

Scriptures Train in Righteous-

ness, 2 Tim. 3:16

Scriptures Make Man Complete,

2 Tim. 3:17

Avoiding a Counterfeit Faith

LESSON 12



❑

Sunday

September 14

Part 1

FORM

WITHOUT

POWER

What characteristics would be widespread in the last days?

"But understand this, that in the last days there will come

times of stress. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money,

proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, un-

grateful, unholy, inhuman, implacable, slanderers, profligates,

fierce, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with

conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding

the form of religion but denying the power of it. Avoid such

people." 2 Tim. 3:1-5, RSV.

Paul declares under inspiration that the moral climate of

this world will not improve as time goes on. This simple pre-

diction could have saved the Western world much unfounded

and wishful optimism during

the

nineteenth century and the

first third of the twentieth.

Although every age could be described by Paul's list, he

seems to suggest here that the last days will be especially

difficult for those who prize righteousness. These times will be

perilous because of the kind of men and women who will bring

stress into the church. These are not obvious worldlings but

rather those who try to pass off what they do under the cloak

of religion. They are people whom Christians should be careful

about associating with—"avoid such people."

The characteristics of the five foolish virgins (Matt. 25) are

reflected in Paul's list, and Ellen White closes her description

of the foolish virgins with the observation that "their service

to God degenerates into a form. . . . The apostle Paul points

out that this will be the special characteristic of those who

live just before Christ's second coming. [2 Tim. 3:1-5, quoted]."

—Christ's Object Lessons,

page 411.

THINK IT THROUGH



Does any one of Paul's appalling list apply to me? Do I

enjoy the reputation of being a Christian without enjoying

the power of a Spirit-filled life?

"Shall the selfishness and the ease of those who have

earthly comforts and attractive homes allure us? Shall we

cease as moral agencies to use our powers to the saving of

souls? Shall our voices be indistinct? Then God will put His

curse upon us who have had so great light, and inscribe upon

the walls of our homes: 'Lovers of pleasures more than lovers

of God.'

"—Testimonies,

Vol. 8, p. 55.

FURTHER STUDY



Testimonies,

Vol. 2, pp. 285-291.

Avoiding a Counterfeit Faith

LESSON 12



❑

Monday

September 15

Part 2

COUNTERFEIT

FAITH

What are some of the marks of a counterfeit faith?

"For among them are those who make their way into

households and capture weak women, burdened with sins

and swayed by various impulses, who will listen to anybody

and can never arrive at a knowledge of the truth.. . . These

men also oppose the truth, men of corrupt mind and coun-

terfeit faith; but they will not get very far, for their folly will

be plain to all." 2 Tim. 3:6-9, RSV.

The astonishing aspect of Paul's summary is that among

these self-loving, pleasure-seeking church members would be

some who would actively propagate their own brand of reli-

gion. Their methods, however, are not open and direct; they

are secretive and cunning. Methods often are the first clue to

the authenticity of religious doctrine that sounds acceptable

on the surface. Another interesting feature of these tradesmen

of heresy is that they would rather sneak up on a certain class

of women than on men. Somehow they would sell their ideas

to souls burdened down with guilt and self-pity.

A tragedy of life is that so many, young and old, would

rather spend years searching "new thought," while shying away

from commitment. Gospel truth is not palatable to them, be-

cause it requires decision and repentance. Large indeed is

the amount of money collected each year by merchants of the

occult, secret wisdom, and "new" light.

The problem of ever learning without finding the truth is

not always the result of insincerity; it may just as easily be the

problem of not making a strong attempt to practice it. Such

people "need an experience in the truth that will enable them

to comprehend the elevated character of the

work."—Testimo-

nies,

Vol. 3, p. 53.

But Paul gave some timely advice that would help those

concerned with keeping the faith pure; it would save some

premature heresy hunting. Give them time, Paul counseled.

There is something clearly false about counterfeit faith as there

is something clearly right about truth. Error may spread for

a while—but it will not get far before exposing itself.

THINK IT THROUGH



Is truth for me more a matter of knowing something than

doing something? Does my faith bring forth the fruits of the

Spirit?

FURTHER STUDY



Christ's

Object

Lessons, "Saying and Doing,"

pages 272-283.

Avoiding a Counterfeit Faith

LESSON 12



❑

Tuesday

September 16



Part 3



What characteristics set Paul apart from those he has

GENUINE FAITH

described earlier in the third chapter?

"But thou host fully known my doctrine, manner of life,

purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, persecutions,

afflictions . . . ; what persecutions I endured: but out of them

all the Lord delivered me. Yea, and all that will live godly

in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." 2 Tim. 3:10-12.

In absolute contrast to the sorry description of those with

a counterfeit faith (verses 1-9) stands Paul's record. Timothy

and all his hearers, and their hearers down to the end of time,

should not be overwhelmed by unscrupulous, insincere church

members who will

responsible for great stress in the church.

Paul lived through no less stress, and his example is there for

all men to follow.

But Timothy, remember, he said, the Lord rescued me! He

and all genuine Christians would endure similar experiences if

they were loyal to the truth and lived a godly life. But through

it all, the Lord would preserve. The Greek for "thou hast fully

known" is literally, "you have followed." Timothy not only

watched, he followed just as one man would follow another

down a street. He had allowed Paul's faith to become his own.

In this summary of his life, Paul was not telling Timothy

anything new. With only a few hours to live, he was talking like

a father to his son. His faith in Jesus has made the difference

—the contrast between his life and that described in verses

1-5 is self-evident.



THINK IT THROUGH



Why is it that there is so little persecution in the lives of

church members today?

"The only reason is that the church has conformed to the

world's standard and therefore awakens no opposition. The

religion which is current in our day is not of the pure and holy

character that marked the Christian faith in the days of Christ

and His apostles. It is only because of the spirit of compromise

with sin, because the great truths of the word of God are so

indifferently regarded, because there is so little vital godliness

in the church, that Christianity is apparently so popular with

the world. Let there be a revival of the faith and power of the

early church, and the spirit of persecution will be revived, and

the fires of persecution will be rekindled."—The

Great Con-

troversy,

page 48.



FURTHER STUDY



The Great Controversy,

pages 507-510.

Avoiding a Counterfeit Faith

LESSON 12



❑

Wednesday

September 17

Part 4

SCRIPTURES,

THE BASIS

OF FAITH

How only can the Scriptures become a basis for faith?

"But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned

and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast

learned them; and that from a child thou hast known the

holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto sal-

vation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." 2 Tim. 3:14, 15.

This is a remarkable exhortation, one that many Christians

have overlooked or rejected. As time goes by, there will always

be those who feel embarrassed or dissatisfied with the old

truths. They must innovate. They are not satisfied with that

which is revealed—they must go beyond. They argue for a new

theology, a new morality, a new image. It may be necessary to

adapt methods to the changing needs and current thought

framework as the generations pass—but Paul's counsel is

"continue in [remain in] what you have learned and have

firmly believed." Verse 14, RSV.

It is one thing to have passed all examinations on the doc-

trines with a perfect record and quite another to allow them to

control the desires and decisions of life. People may know

doctrinal truth and yet not be firm believers. Such is the tragedy

of the five foolish virgins in Matthew 25.

The chief reasons for any man's stability and deep assur-

ance were also Timothy's: He knew from whom he had learned

the truth and he knew the Scriptures which formed the basis

for whatever Paul had taught him in word and example.

When Timothy heard Paul for the first time, he recognized

the voice that he had heard when he read the Scriptures. Paul

was no innovator; he was consistent with the Old Testament.

Paul claimed before Agrippa (Acts 26) that he preached nothing

other than what had already been predicted by the prophets.

Knowing about the Messiah was not enough. Timothy had

to recognize his need for a Saviour, repent of self-will and

self-indulgence, and commit his life completely to the God he

heard speaking to him in the Old Testament and in Paul's

preaching. Timothy's response to Jesus was the beginning of

the life of faith.

THINK IT THROUGH



Am I more concerned about what Paul said than I am con-

cerned about doing what Paul did? Do I memorize Paul, or

do I see what Paul saw and hear what Paul heard?

FURTHER STUDY



Fundamentals of Christian Education,

pages 123-128.

Avoiding a Counterfeit Faith

LESSON 12



❑

Thursday

September 18

Part 5

SCRIPTURES

TRAIN IN

RIGHTEOUSNESS

For what purpose was the Bible given to man?

"All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teach-

ing, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteous-

ness." 2 Tim. 3:16, RSV.

Timothy had no need to fear for the future even though

Christianity's chief spokesman and his dearest friend was about

to be executed. No false teacher need cause him dismay. No

matter what happened to men, the Holy Scriptures remained as

the unerring guide to Christian faith and practice.

"Profitable for teaching." In verse 15, Timothy was reminded

that the Scriptures "are able to instruct you for salvation." RSV.

Such teaching is salvation knowledge, full of God's invitation

and mercy, full of Jesus Christ as man's example and substi-

tute. The purpose of the Bible is not merely to teach facts that

men can discover by their own personal investigation; rather

it is to teach spiritual truths that can be learned only by divine

revelation.

"For reproof, for correction." Another translation for "re-

proof" is "refutation." The Scriptures are profitable for the

refuting of every error and religious fiction; they are the only

writings in the world that can change sinners into believers

and commandment keepers. The results of sincere Bible study

are unsurpassed.

"For training in righteousness." The chief purpose of the

Bible is to lead men to a right relation with God, to that quality

of life that God can point to as examples of His way of life.

THINK IT THROUGH



Has the Bible been for me the voice of God speaking to

my soul? What was the last passage that spoke to me?

"God has been pleased to communicate His truth to the

world by human agencies, and He Himself, by His Holy Spirit,

qualified men and enabled them to do this work. He guided

the mind in the selection of what to speak and what to write.

The treasure was intrusted to earthen vessels, yet it is, none

the less, from Heaven. The testimony [of the Bible] is con-

veyed through the imperfect expression of human language,

yet it is the testimony of God; and the obedient, believing child

of God beholds in it the glory of a divine power, full of grace

and truth."—The

Great Controversy,

Introduction, pages vi, vii.

FURTHER STUDY



The Great Controversy,

Introduction, pages v-vii.

100

Avoiding a Counterfeit Faith

LESSON 12



❑

Friday

September 19



Part 6



What

is the ultimate purpose in studying the Bible?

SCRIPTURES



MAKE MAN



"That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished

COMPLETE

unto all good works." 2 Tim. 3:17.

"Perfect" should be understood as fitted or equipped. The

man or woman who chooses to identify with God will use His

divinely revealed writings to teach, to refute, to help restore

men and women to upright living, and to educate young and

old in the ways that will produce righteousness of character.

In other words, the Christian who wants to find victory over

sin in his life and who wants a clear statement of what truth

is so that he can encourage others to accept Jesus as Lord

will find that the Bible lacks nothing and the Christian will be

wanting in nothing. All that is needed and more is in the Bible.

All the equipment necessary to live victoriously, ceasing to

sin, is available through the record of Holy Scripture. The

Christian learns about these divine resources when he studies

the Bible with the right motives in mind.

The study of God's Word is not an end in itself; it should

always lead to action, to moral restoration, to a change in

ethics.

The man of faith is the only person who can read the Bible

correctly.

"Through faith they [Bible students] come to know God by

an experimental knowledge. They have proved for themselves

the reality of His word, the truth of His promises. They have

tasted, and they know that the Lord is good.

"The beloved John had a knowledge gained through his

own experience. He could testify: [quote 1 John 1:1-3].

"So everyone may be able, through his own experience, to

'set his seal to this, that God is true.' John 3:33, A.R.V. He can

bear witness to that which he himself has seen and heard and

felt of the power of Christ. He can testify:

"'I needed help, and I found it in Jesus. Every want was sup-

plied, the hunger of my soul was satisfied; the Bible is to me

the revelation of Christ. I believe in Jesus because He is to me

a divine Saviour. I believe the Bible because I have found it to

be the voice of God to my soul.'

"—The Ministry of Healing,

page 461.

THINK IT THROUGH



Have I been using the Bible as a check sheet of those

characteristics that will make me a loyal child of God? Am I

fully equipped to represent God regardless of the occasion?



FURTHER STUDY



Christ's Object Lessons,

"Hidden Treasure," pages 111-114.

101

LESSON 13 September 21-27

FAITI4 FACES

DEATH-

"I have fought a good fight, I

have finished my course, I have kept

the faith: henceforth there is laid

up for me a crown of righteousness,

which the Lord, the righteous judge,

shall give me at that day: and not to

me only, but unto all them also that

love his appearing." 2 Tim. 4:7, 8.

For at least 30 years Paul had been

laboring as Christ's tireless ambas-

sador,

but when he wrote these

lines, his days were numbered. He

knew not whether Timothy would

arrive before his execution. He

spoke as a dying man would to his

son. His solemn words are pro-

foundly stirring.

Although Paul said nothing new

in this last chapter of Second Tim-

othy, the fact that the shadow of the

sword hung over his head gives spe-

cial importance to what he chose

to say. He summed up his career in

these few words—a dying man

doesn't waste his words. How in-

tently Timothy must have read them

with tearful eyes and trembling

hands.

What was said to Timothy would

apply to every Christian down

through the years until Jesus comes.

Although the ordained minister

should take special heed to Paul's

incisive commands, no church mem-

ber can avoid his own measure of

responsibility. Paul talks to everyone

who wants to finish his life with the

confidence that they too have

"fought a good fight, ... finished

my course, ... kept the faith."

The chapter seems to be divided

into three parts: (1) Keep your eye

on the coming of the Lord if you

want to keep perspective and have

reason to hope; (2) keep your eye

on what is going on around you so

that you are not deceived or dis-

heartened by timeservers and jeal-

ous competitors; (3) keep your eye

on the Lord who will never desert

you and will always provide the

strength necessary.

Paul had a great opportunity to

think of himself and his predicament

as he penned these words. After all,

Paul was on trial for his life. He had

labored incessantly for untold thou-

sands; he had stored up no material

security for his old-age convenience.

But now, when he needed his

friends, where were they? They had

left him, and not always for the best

of reasons. Paul had reason to think

of himself now; a show of self-pity

would have been easily understood.

But instead of pleading his case, he

continued to plead the cause of Jesus

Christ. He asked only that Timothy

go and do likewise. Problems Tim-

othy would face. How well Paul

knew! But the gospel was more im-

portant than a person's comfort and

convenience. In summary Paul is

saying, "God has been with me and

strengthened me and has never

failed me—now, Timothy, the same

Lord be with you; grace be with

you." See verse 22.

LESSON OUTLINE

Preach the Word, 2 Tim. 4:1, 2

Teach the Truth, 2 Tim. 4:3-5

Keeping the Faith-1, 2 Tim.

4:5-7

Keeping the Faith-2, 2 Tim. 4:7

Love His Appearing, 2 Tim. 4:8

The Lord Gave Me Strength,

2 Tim. 4:17, 18

Faith Faces Death

LESSON 13



❑

Sunday

September 21

Part 1

PREACH

THE WORD

What was Paul's last charge to Timothy?

"I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus

Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appear-

ing and his kingdom; preach the word, be instant in season,

out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering

and doctrine." 2 Tim. 4:1, 2.

The charge to all Christians, especially the ministry, is to

"preach the word." In verse three, the equivalent word is

"sound doctrine"; in verse four, "the truth." This "word" con-

sists of the Scriptures (2 Tim. 3:15, 16) and all that Timothy

had heard and learned from Paul and the other apostles. The

"word" Christians are to proclaim is not their own invention.

The Christian's duty is to hear the word and to obey it, guard

it from heresy, and proclaim it wherever men are found without

embarrassment and without tempering it to curry favor.

Such preaching is clothed in urgency. Hearts are not warmed

and broken by listening to a listless, drowsy witness. The judg-

ment is coming, and time is uncertain. Half-hearted witnessing,

lazy presentations, give the lie to the Christian message.

Paul added relevancy to urgency—God's word fits the

needs of all men—convincing argument for the doubtful, re-

buke for the sinful, and encouragement for the weary or fearful.

The Biblical message must be taught in an intelligent man-

ner. Teaching and preaching need not be separate duties. Pity

the church that hears not a compassionate witnessing appeal

in its teaching and a logical, intelligent presentation of truth

in its preaching.

So that Timothy might remember who is behind all proclama-

tion of the word, Paul pointed him to the One who is ultimately

responsible for its success—the ever-present God and the com-

ing Jesus, the Judge of the living and the dead.

THINK IT THROUGH



How urgent have I been in the last week about telling

close associates about the saving power of Jesus Christ?

FURTHER STUDY



Testimonies,

Vol. 8, p. 295;

Christ's Object Lessons,

"The

Sower Went Forth to Sow," page 40.

104

Faith Faces Death

LESSON 13



❑

Monday

September

Part 2

TEACH

THE TRUTH

Why was Paul greatly concerned that the gospel be

preached with unfailing urgency?

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound

doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to them-

selves teachers having itching ears; and they shall turn away

their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But

watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an

evangelist." 2 Tim. 4:3-5a.

Already in Paul's day (chap. 3:6, 7) the church was plagued

by those who would seek to remake the gospel after their own

whims.

Paul focused on a strange condition called "itching ears."

Such people are attracted to certain teachers and preachers

who find peculiar satisfaction in serving up novelties and con-

centrating on the curious and sensational. The pity is that such

people close their ears against the clear, old-fashioned gospel,

chiefly because the gospel always asks for commitment when

it promises its blessings.

By what standards do some church members judge their

teachers and preachers? "The apostle does not here [2 Tim.

4:3, 4] refer to the openly irreligious, but to the professing Chris-

tians who make inclination their guide, and thus become en-

slaved by self. Such are willing to listen to those doctrines only

that do not rebuke their sins or condemn their pleasure-loving

course. They are offended by the plain words of the faithful

servants of Christ and choose teachers who praise and flatter

them."—The

Acts of the Apostles,

pages 504, 505.

Paul's advice to Timothy was simply this: Don't take your

lead from the prevailing theological fashions of the moment;

don't quietly leave the scene to the gratifiers of "itching ears."

When people are unstable, that is the time for the man of faith

to stand his ground. When people would rather hear anything

but the sober word, that is the time for conscientious Chris-

tians to be even more persevering. The deafer the people, the

more forceful and clear must be the proclamation.

THINK IT THROUGH



Do I tend to back away and wait for a more favorable

opportunity when people show greater interest in side issues

and novelties, or do I think of more effective ways to gain

their attention and respect?

FURTHER STUDY



Evangelism,

pages 158, 337, 625.

105

Faith Faces Death

LESSON 13



❑

Tuesday

September 23

Part 3

KEEPING

THE FAITH-1

What pressing reason did Paul give for Timothy to fulfill

his ministry?

"Make full proof of thy ministry. For I am now ready to

be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have

fought a good fight." 2 Tim. 4:5b-7a.

Here Paul gives the chief reason for the importance of Tim-

othy's ministry—Paul was at the point of being executed. Paul

uses the language of the temple—sacrificial language. The New

English Bible reads, "My life is being poured out on the altar."

"Departure" suggests in the Greek the loosening of a ship's

mooring rope, or the loosening of a tent's cords as the tent

goes down. How can anyone read these lines without a lump

in the throat?

But there is a total absence of self-pity or regret in Paul's

last words. This kind of death he did not deserve. Nevertheless,

he maintained triumphant hope, and cheer for all, as he showed

his converts everywhere how the man of faith faces death.

What kind of fight was Paul referring to? "The life of the

apostle Paul was a constant conflict with self. He said, 'I die

daily.' 1 Corinthians 15:31. His will and his desires every day

conflicted with duty and the will of God...

"At the close of his life of conflict, looking back over its

struggles and triumphs, he could say, 'I have fought a good

fight....'

"The Christian life is a battle and a march. In this warfare

there is no release; the effort must be continuous and per-

severing. It is by unceasing endeavor that we maintain the

victory over the temptations of Satan. Christian integrity must

be sought with resistless energy and maintained with a resolute

fixedness of purpose."—The

Ministry of Healing,

pages 452,

453.

THINK IT THROUGH



Do I depend more on the Bible promises of forgiveness

than on the promises of power to overcome sin? If so, might

this not tell me how much I am willing to struggle with sin?

"Each one has a personal battle to fight. Not even God can

make our characters noble or our lives useful, unless we be-

come co-workers with Him. Those who decline the struggle lose

the strength and joy of victory."—The

Ministry of Healing,

page

487.

FURTHER STUDY



The Desire of Ages,

page 549.

106

Faith Faces Death

LESSON 13



❑

Wednesday

September 24



Part 4



What settled assurance did Paul have when he faced

KEEPING

death?



THE FAITH-2



have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2 Tim.

4:7, RSV.

Every Christian has his personal race to run—not against

anyone else, but on a course that has only one goal, to reflect

the character of Jesus. Paul likens this course to the public

footraces that were very familiar to his readers.

Timothy had been by his side when Paul had run against

stiff winds of hostility and misunderstanding. Timothy knew

well what that course would be like after Paul was gone. Paul's

record was plain and for all the world to examine—he had not

faltered. He didn't run halfway and become satisfied with his

progress. He died growing and running.

In what way did Paul keep the faith? Throughout the Timothy

letters Paul contrasted faith with a counterfeit religious expe-

rience. Genuine faith produces love and does not mistake

theological knowledge for true Christian experience. See 1 Tim.

1. But Paul does not depreciate doctrine when he emphasizes

faith. Although it is true that a church member may have sound

doctrine without faith, he cannot have faith without the founda-

tion of the truth about God and how He saves men. The pur-

pose of doctrine is to lead men to have a trusting, obedient

relationship with God—the experience of faith. See 1 Tim. 6;

2 Tim. 3.

Jesus on Calvary also faced death alone. No doubt his

Lord's experience provided the courage that kept Paul strong.

"Amid the awful darkness, apparently forsaken of God, Christ

had drained the last dregs in the cup of human woe. In those

dreadful hours He had relied upon the evidence of His Father's

acceptance heretofore given Him. . . . By faith He rested in

Him whom it had ever been His joy to obey. And as in sub-

mission He committed Himself to God, the sense of the loss

of His Father's favor was withdrawn. By faith, Christ was vic-

tor."—The

Desire of Ages,

page 756.

THINK IT THROUGH



In the minor distresses of life has my faith been strong?

What is the foundation on which faith for tough times is

built?

"If Christ is my Saviour, my sacrifice, my atonement, then

I shall never perish. Believing on Him, I have life forevermore.

Oh, that all who believe the truth would believe in Jesus as

their own Saviour. I do not mean that cheap faith unsupported

by works, but that earnest, living, constant, abiding faith, that

eats the flesh and drinks the blood of the Son of God."—

Selected Messages,

Bk. 2, p. 381.



FURTHER STUDY



The Acts of the Apostles,

pages 511-513.

107

Faith Faces Death

LESSON 13



❑

Thursday

September 25

Part 5

LOVE HIS

APPEARING

To whom will the eternal rewards be given?

"Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteous-

ness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me

on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have

loved his appearing." 2 Tim. 4:8, RSV.

Paul never doubted that Jesus would return

the

second

time. He believed Jesus' promises as relayed to him through

the other apostles. Furthermore, these firsthand witnesses were

corroborated by personal revelation. See 1 Cor. 15:8.

The second advent gives meaning and an end to history.

Life on earth will not merely repeat itself endlessly, generation

after generation, subject to the whims of man or the mysterious

forces of nature. There is a goal toward which all mankind

moves—the judgment of all and the reward of life everlasting

to those who were comfortable and settled into God's way of

living.

The crown (literally, a garland of olive leaves) symbolized

victory for those who had identified with righteousness. In this

text Paul is emphasizing that the reward of eternal life is a

reward for being righteous, for a life-style that was loyal to

God. "In the kingdom of God, position is not gained through

favoritism. It is not earned, nor is it received through an arbi-

trary bestowal. It is the result of character. The crown and

the throne are the tokens of a condition attained; they are the

tokens of self-conquest through our Lord Jesus Christ."—The

Desire of Ages,

page 549.

Eternal life awaits all who have made it clear that they are

willing to say Yes to whatever God wants them to do—the way

of righteousness. Such a commitment has fitted them for the

family of heaven and "the Lord can trust them" to be of that

number. See

Christ's Object Lessons,

page 315.

Every Christian should feel the confidence of a victor, know-

ing all the while that each victory was made possible by the

indwelling Christ. Faith carries within itself the assurance that

God will open wide the door to those who have trusted and

obeyed Him.

Although we must live life to the full each day, the real

cause for enthusiasm and meaning to life lies in the Chris-

tian's love for the advent. It remains for the genuine Christian,

the "blessed hope."

THINK IT THROUGH



Would you want Jesus to return tomorrow, or are there a

few things that you want to do before He returns?

FURTHER STUDY



The Great Controversy,

pages 339, 340.

108

Faith Faces Death

LESSON 13



Friday

September 26

Part 6

THE LORD

GAVE ME

STRENGTH

What was Paul's reason for peace and assurance?

"But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength to pro-

claim the word fully, that all the Gentiles might hear it. . . .

The Lord will rescue me from every evil and save me for his

heavenly kingdom." 2 Tim. 4:17, 18, RSV.

times of loneliness and impending death, where did Paul's

thoughts go? Cut off and virtually abandoned, he longed for

the touch of an old friend's hand. For a variety of reasons

everyone who had been ordinarily by his side were gone, ex-

cept faithful Luke (verse 11). (In a way this information tells

us as much about the heroism of Luke as about the loneliness

of Paul.)

He urged Timothy to come before winter (verses 9, 21); to

bring Mark also (the young man he had written off as a coward

some years before) (verse 11); to bring a winter cloak; and to

bring books and parchments (verse 13). Here was a man with

his heart set on the great return of His Lord, but also with a

hearty longing for Timothy.

Although Paul rested his confidence in the Lord, who always

stood by him, he did not despise the earthly means by which

the Lord works. When we are lonely, we need friends; when

we are cold, we need clothing; when we are bored, we need

books.

Nevertheless, there are times when even the best of friends

cannot provide what the spirit needs. No one can give a per-

sonal witness for another, especially in times of great stress.

By Paul's side, unseen by the curious spectators and malicious

persecutors, was One as real to Paul as his own self: "The

Lord stood by me."

Such

a Presence was not imagination. He helped Paul to

witness boldly and convincingly to the truth about Jesus and

on numerous occasions He delivered Paul from his impas-

sioned foes.

Paul was not so naive as to believe that God would always

deliver him from physical harm; but he did know that none of

his enemies could inflict any lasting harm. Evil would not con-

quer his spirit. In God's time, there would be a place for him

beyond the reach of suffering about which he knew so much.

No wonder Paul, in the shadow of the executioner's sword,

could sing out, "To him be the glory for ever and ever. Amen."

Verse 18, RSV.

THINK IT THROUGH



When you face the lonely moment when no earthly friend

can spare you from responsibility and suffering, even death

itself, how do you think you will respond?

FURTHER STUDY



The Desire of Ages,

pages 354-358.

109

LESSONS FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1975

Sabbath School members who have not received a copy of the Adult

Lessons for the fourth quarter of 1975 will be helped by the following out-

line in studying the first two lessons. The title of the series is "Jeremiah

—A Message for Our Time."

First lesson: "The

Times of Jeremiah." Memory verse, 2 Chron. 36:15,

16. Lesson outline is as follows: (1) The International Scene, Ezek. 17:12,

15. (2) Josiah, Jer. 1:2. (3) Jehoiakim and the First Siege, 2 Chron. 36:1.

(4) Jehoiachin and the Second Siege, 2 Kings 24:6, 8. (5) Zedekiah and

the Third Siege, 2 Kings 24:17; 23:34. (6) Jeremiah's Fellow Prophets,

Dan. 1:1, 3, 4, 6.

Second lesson:

"Jeremiah's Call." Memory verse, Jer. 1:9. Lesson

outline is as follows: (1) Called by God, Jer. 1:1, 2. (2) Foreknown by

God, Jer. 1:4, 5. (3) Overwhelmed by God's Call, Jer. 1:6. (4) God's En-

abling, Jer. 1:7, 8. (5) His First Vision, Jer. 1:11, 12. (6) God's Reassur-

ance, Jer. 1:19.

SIGN THE

DAILY STUDY

PLEDGE

FILL YOUR LIFE

WITH THE

"You search the Scriptures, because you suppose

that in them you will tied eternal life

;

it is

WORDS

OF GOD

those Scriptures that yield evidence abtit Me."

—John 5:39. Weymouth.

Study Your

Sabbath

School Lesson

Every Day

Remnant

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braska 68131. In Canada: P. 0.

Box 398, Oshawa, Ontario. Ship-

ping: 20 cents first copy, and 5

cents for each additional copy.

Add TAX if applica-

ble. Brought to you

by Pacific Press.

LOVE

SHINES IN

Rarely a new talent

comes on the music

scene such as David

Atwood, who pos-

sesses a rich, melo-

dic, tenor voice. It

is our privilege to

acquaint you with

his two latest

albums—WHEN

LOVE SHINES IN

and LET'S BE

FRIENDS. The or-

chestra and chorus

are under the

direction of David

Williamson.

CHAPEL/BRIDGE RECORDS

WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE

YOU TO ANOTHER NEW

ARTIST—

David

Atwood

WHEN LOVE SHINES IN

Compatible S 2275

Selections: One Day We Met—

City Called Heaven—When I

Remember—The Soul That Is

Reaching—He Still Cares—When

Love Shines In—Give Me Jesus—

This One Thing I Know—One Step

at a Time—Lead Me to Calvary

LET'S BE FRIENDS

Compatible S 2263

Selections: I'll Be a Friend—No

One Understands Like Jesus—

What Shall I Give?—Little Shep-

herd Boy—A Place Called Calvary

—On Jordan's Stormy Banks—The

Music Box—He Washed My Eyes

With Tears—My Lord, the Creator

—Come to Him Now

These albums, along with many other

Chapel/Bridge Records are available at

your Adventist Book Center.

Book of the year

for the second time!

Bible Readings

for the Home

The first and one of the most popular

missionary books is the 1975 book of the

year. Nearly four-thousand questions about

Bible subjects are all answered from the

Scriptures in this latest edition. It

presents, topic by topic, the full message

of the Bible. More people have joined the

Seventh-day Adventist Church as a direct

result of studying

Bible Readings for the

Home

than any other book.

For guaranteed

results from your personal witnessing—

make sure you have given 5 in '75.

Order from your Adventist Book Center or

ABC Mailing Service, P.O. Box 31776,

Omaha, Nebraska 68131. Add 30 cents

postage for the first book and 15 cents for

each additional copy.

Add State sales tax where necessary.

ONLY 75 CENTS EACH

gfea

Mexican



st0



4°

Indies

AntiUlan

Caribbean

Central-Amercan

Golombia-Venez ela

Gu•an

Franco-Haitian

Unions



Population

Anti!' ian U.C.



7,490,000

Caribbean U.C.



2,853,896

Central-

American U.M.



16,933,568

Colombia-

Venezuela U.M.



33,611,046

Cuban Church



8,300,000

Franco-Haitian U.M.



5,270,000

Mexican U.M.



54,908,000

West Indies U.C.



2,159,032

Inter-American

Division

.1%

Division Totals



131525,542

(Figures as of 1st quarter, 1974)

S.S.

rs Members

48,201

55,668

36,315

53,498

8,890

72,531

91,787

81,545

Chur

Churches Mem

256



34,6

278



46,1

270

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39,0

204



50,2

416



74,5

164

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56,8

284

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66,5

8,1

108

1,981

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376,31